Chase De Jong embraces grinder persona, multi-inning pitching role for Pirates
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When the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased his contract last month, Chase De Jong received a text message from his agent that read: Congratulations. You deserve it. You’re the epitome of resiliency.
A second-round draft pick who made his major league debut at age 23, De Jong never would have imagined his baseball career would require so many trials and tribulations that tested his resolve.
So the text message meant the world to the 28-year-old right-hander, who has been traded three times, worked his way back to the majors through an independent league and underwent season-ending left knee surgery last July. De Jong signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates in March as a nonroster invitee to spring training.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” De Jong said. “I’m a guy that’s kind of had to grind for most of everything I have, and I like that. I definitely embody that persona.”
Chase De Jong’s night is over after 4 innings and while he won’t get the decision, he did get the game started off in style, striking out the side! #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/5SPL5HvUqv
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 9, 2022
Since pitching seven innings of a combined no-hitter for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on April 14 — he had nine strikeouts and two walks on 80 pitches in 38-degree temperatures in a 5-0 victory at St. Paul — De Jong’s value has increased because of his versatility.
De Jong has shown the Pirates he can be a starter or a multi-inning reliever. He was 1-4 with a 5.77 ERA in nine starts last season before undergoing surgery to repair damaged cartilage that coats the medial femoral condyle. At Indianapolis, he was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 13 innings over three appearances, including two starts, with 19 strikeouts and five walks.
Since the Pirates selected his contract on April 22, De Jong is 1-0 without allowing an earned run in in 51⁄3 innings over three relief appearances. He continues to stretch out on his off days, just in case he is needed to make a spot start or work as an opener.
“If they ask me, ‘Can you fire 60 bullets for us?’ the answer is yes,” De Jong said. “That’s something that’s always in the back of my mind that they may approach me with, so I’m constantly staying ready for that.”
Drafted by Toronto in 2012 out of Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif., De Jong was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in ’15, the Seattle Mariners in ’17 and the Minnesota Twins in ’18.
“Being traded so many times and not belonging to anybody, being that swing guy, this and that,” De Jong said, “I’ve definitely had to fight to stay in the game and grind for that.”
De Jong has embraced his reputation as a grinder, believing that it’s a good character trait and one that fits with the Pirates’ clubhouse culture. He’s excited to have another opportunity for a multi-inning role on the pitching staff, whether it’s working out of the rotation or the bullpen.
“In the position that I’m in and the fact that I’ve had to sign split contracts and find places to play, this organization right now is very conducive for the type of player that I am, which is why I wanted to sign back here,” De Jong said.
“I had offers other places, but I felt like I had unfinished business here. I also felt like that I really liked this staff and that they value what I do. Ultimately, I think this is a great fit for me.”