PHILADELPHIA -- Even before the Cardinals drafted Paul DeJong in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, he was already a Redbird -- an Illinois State Redbird, that is.
In his first Minor League season, DeJong -- coming off two red-hot seasons at Illinois State -- knew his time in the big leagues could be looming closer than some expected. He was promoted to the Class A Peoria Chiefs from Rookie-level ball in his first pro season.
"That's when I kind of knew I was getting pushed a little bit," DeJong, the Cards' No.