Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings

For the week of :
June 16, 2003

Interview with David DeJesus
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Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

DeJesus just happy to be back on the field for Royals
June 17, 2003

Playing the game of baseball hasn't really been David DeJesus' biggest challenge to date in his brief professional career.

David DeJesus

Rather, the 23-year-old Kansas City Royals farmhand has primarily had trouble staying on the field. He's been injured more than he's been on the field since being chosen by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2000 draft.

DeJesus' college career at Rutgers University ended when he injured his right elbow in his final game. After signing with the Royals, DeJesus reported to Instructional League in the Fall of 2000, where he tore a ligament in his left elbow. When he re-injured the same elbow the following spring, DeJesus underwent Tommy John surgery; the left-handed hitting outfielder spent the entire 2001 season on the disabled list.

After a complete 2002 season, split between High A Wilmington and Class AA Wichita, in which he hit a combined .288/.390/.436, DeJesus was assigned to the Arizona Fall League's Scottsdale Scorpions. He was a starting outfielder on the team that made it to the championship game before losing a one-game playoff to the Peoria Javelinas. The time spent in Arizona proved to be an invaluable experience for DeJesus.

"It helped me a lot," he said. "I was intimidated in AA last year."

Spending two months around organized baseball's top prospects was a great confidence booster for DeJesus. He continued, "When I went into spring training, I felt I could compete."

DeJesus worked hard in the off-season to build up his strength. But the 2002 spring training season ended early when he suffered a hairline fracture of his shoulder while diving for a fly ball.

Is DeJesus injury prone or is the frequency of his injuries the result of his hard-nosed playing style?

"My theory is to go out and play as hard as you can," replied DeJesus. "You just have to go out there and make the play." He continued, shaking his head, "But I've definitely had some bad luck ... three injuries in three years."

After starting the season in extended spring training, the left-handed hitter is quickly making up for lost time. DeJesus played his first 17 games with AA Wichita, hitting .338 in 71 at bats, with a .422 on base average and a .479 slugging percentage. He's has been equally effective in his first taste of AAA ball, hitting .333 in 11 games.

His approach to hitting is quite simple. "Swing at strikes, don't swing at bad pitches," he stated, "and don't try to do too much with pitches."

David DeJesus

DeJesus continued, "Since I'm not a homerun hitter, I'm not trying to lift the ball. I'm just trying to get on base and help the team."

Getting on base and consistently making contact have been the strongest parts of DeJesus' game. He has walked more than he's struck out in both of his professional seasons.

DeJesus owes his solid baseball skills and instincts to the instruction he received from his father while growing up.

"My dad loves baseball," said DeJesus. "Every day when I was younger, he was pressing baseball on us ... It's leading to good things now, so I can't say it was a bad thing."

DeJesus' frequent injuries have left him with a good attitude about the game. When asked whether he considers himself an overachiever, he replied, "I'm just going out and playing the way I can ... I relax and have fun. Baseball's a game, and I'm taking it that way."

The 6'0", 175 pound outfielder responded quickly and succinctly when asked his goals for the 2003 season.

"Get three hits every 10 at bats ... get on base ... be on a winning team," DeJesus answered.

Then, reflecting on the trials and tribulations he's faced since leaving Rutgers, he added one more primary objective.

"Stay healthy," said DeJesus. "That's the most important thing."

--- Bill Mitchell