Delino DeShields Jr.

Delino DeShields Jr.

DeShields with the Corpus Christi Hooks in 2014
Texas Rangers – No. 3
Center fielder
Born: (1992-08-16) August 16, 1992
Easton, Maryland
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 8, 2015, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through July 29, 2017)
Batting average .254
Hits 206
Home runs 8
Runs batted in 63
Stolen bases 52
Teams

Delino Diaab DeShields Jr. (born August 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted with the 8th pick overall by the Houston Astros in the 2010 MLB Draft, and is the son of former MLB player Delino DeShields.

Early life

DeShields, the eldest of his father's five children, was raised in the Atlanta area. He went to Woodward Academy where he played both baseball and football. He was recruited by the Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels for football before deciding to pursue baseball instead.[1] He was also recruited by the LSU Tigers for baseball, but they only committed a half-scholarship to him due to his desire to play professionally. In his senior year at Woodward, he hit 9 home runs and batted .415, while stealing 29 bases.

Professional career

According to his 2010 MLB Draft scouting report, DeShields has "plus-plus speed" on the basepaths. He is good at hitting, with "the ability to hit line drives consistently." His power hitting is "marginal." His arm strength is "below-average, but it plays OK in the outfield," with "plus range." His fielding ability is good, with a soft-enough touch to play in the middle infield. His physical stature is compared to current Los Angeles Angels outfielder Eric Young Jr.. While his speed and pedigree are listed as advantages, his primary disadvantages are his relative lack of power hitting and inconsistent effort. His official MLB Draft profile lists him as a center fielder.[2]

Astros general manager Ed Wade stated his intention to send DeShields to the rookie-level Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League once he is signed, with a transition to second base during the winter.[3]

In 2011, DeShields played 16 games for Greeneville and two for the GCL Astros.[4] He has also played for the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League, the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League, and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double-A Texas League. On April 18, 2014, DeShields was hit in the face by a 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) pitch. He suffered a non-displaced maxillary sinus fracture.[5]

At the 2014 Winter Meetings, the Texas Rangers selected DeShields from the Astros in the Rule 5 draft.[6] DeShields made the Rangers' Opening Day roster.[7] He recorded his first major league hit in the 8th inning on an infield single against Dan Otero of the Oakland Athletics on April 8.[8]

On June 3, 2015, DeShields was named American League Rookie of the Month for May after batting .296 for the month and scoring 22 runs.[9] On August 14, he would hit his first Major League home run against Tampa Bay. After the 2015 season, DeShields changed his uniform number from 7 to 3.

After the completion of the 2015 season, DeShields finished in 7th place for the American League Rookie of the Year voting, with one third place vote. He was voted in as the Texas Rangers' Rookie of the Year by fellow players and coaches. DeShields would begin the 2016 season as the Rangers' starting center fielder, but would eventually lose his job to Ian Desmond for inconsistency and be demoted to Triple-A Round Rock. DeShields would finish with a .209 batting average, 4 home runs and 13 RBI's with 8 stolen bases in 74 games. Deshields would make the 2017 Opening Day Roster. On April 21, 2017 he hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 13th inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals.

Personal life

DeShields is the son of Delino DeShields.

DeShields was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of alcohol by a minor and a traffic violation in Georgia on January 16, 2011. He was released on $2,500 bail and charged with the three misdemeanors.[10]

DeShields has a sister named Diamond who played basketball at the University of Tennessee.

References

  1. ↑ "Five players to watch at Corky Kell Classic". ajc.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  2. ↑ "2010 Draft, Delino DeShields, 2B". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Astros select Delino DeShields Jr. with 8th overall pick". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Delino DeShields". Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  5. ↑ Axisa, Mike. "Delino DeShields Jr's swollen face after HBP is terrifying". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Rangers notes: Texas takes Delino DeShields in Rule 5 draft". star-telegram. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Rookies DeShields Jr., Kela add youth, speed to Rangers’ roster". star-telegram. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics - Play By Play - April 08, 2015 - ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  9. ↑ http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/rookie_of_the_month_award.shtml
  10. ↑ Levine, Zachary (January 16, 2011). "Astros' first-round pick DeShields Jr. arrested". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
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