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Buffa: Paul DeJong embraces the Cardinal Way

For Paul DeJong and the Cardinals, the main goal is to avoid an Aledmys Diaz 2.0.
Sep 30, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong (11) hits a two run double off of Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

ST. LOUIS — A year ago, Paul DeJong was a mere prospect looking up at the Busch Stadium diamond from the grass in Memphis. These days, he is the St. Louis Cardinals starting shortstop. A lot can change for a player in this system.

Keep in mind, the 24 year old DeJong didn't just make a landing in 2017 with the team; he crushed 25 home runs in just 108 games, hitting .285 and slugging .532 along the way. In the field, he provided the Cardinals with the assured hands of a plus defender at the field's most important position. Formely a third baseman, DeJong transitioned to shortstop in 2016, and now isn't looking back.

When I asked if shortstop was the sole position DeJong was working with this spring with Jose Oquendo, he confirmed there will be no shifting this season for him. In under a year, DeJong is a vital organ in the Cardinals unit.

DeJong talked about working closely with Matt Carpenter last year, learning from a guy who has moved around the infield with major success, but it's what DeJong is now doing with that knowledge that is most important. He's going to pass along the Cardinal Way transcript to younger Cards like Oscar Mercado and Delvin Perez this February and March.

For years, the Cardinal Way is broadly known as a concept that attracts scrutiny and admiration, depending on who you ask. DeJong talked about paying it forward. "It's almost like implied, something I take upon myself. I have experiences to teach with. That's how it is with this organization, the top guys teach the young guys, and then those guys teach the others. It's the Cardinal Way," DeJong added.

DeJong wants to be better in 2018, but isn't thinking about it too much. In preparation for a role with higher priority and more visibility nationally, he doesn't want to change much-and why would you, if the kind of potential was shown in his first season.

When asked about the right-handed hitter heavy lineup, DeJong likes the way it shapes up, due to the easier matchup when thinking about a right on right instead of a left on left. He also likes what Marcell Ozuna brings to the lineup, simply due to his reputation as a power bat.

Imagining DeJong, Carpenter, Ozuna, Fowler, Gyorko, and a couple others popping 25 home runs each seems quite possible, and very nice for a team needing pop after a weak long ball output in 2017.

Last season, DeJong came up when Kolten Wong got hurt. The Illinois product was positioned to get a cup of coffee with the club, seeing how far his swing had come and if he could handle the tough defensive position. He ended up posting a 2.7 WAR and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting. Once again, he did this with only 108 games. A full season of DeJong sounds more than promising; it's a lethal idea.

Life comes at you fast in the big leagues. Last winter, DeJong was hoping for a chance to contribute. These days, he's expected to produce in a starting role. 365 days changes a lot.

For DeJong and the Cardinals, the main goal is to avoid an Aledmys Diaz 2.0. After a blistering first season, Diaz experienced a steep decline early last season. DeJong isn't worried about that-or anything else right now, except for hitting and working with Oquendo.

The Cardinal Way seems to be coming naturally to young Cardinals. Paul DeJong is simply the latest example.

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