Cardinals Send Former All-Star To Triple-A

A player can only ride for so long on past laurels. After becoming an All-Star in 2019 with a 30 HR season, it's been nothing but struggles for shortstop Paul DeJong. The St. Louis Cardinals have finally lost patience, and sent the 28-year-old down to Triple-A to try to get his game back on track.

The Cardinals have sent shortstop Paul DeJong down to Triple-A Memphis, sources tell The Athletic.

DeJong, a 2019 All-Star, was hitting .130 with a .417 OPS over 77 ABs. It’s expected Tommy Edman will slot to shortstop in the interim. #STLCards

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) May 10, 2022

DeJong has seen his average plummet in each and every year of his 6-year career, from a high of .285 in his rookie season of 2017, down to .197 in the 2021 season, and this year to a paltry .130. His OPS has taken a similar dive, this year resting at .417. 

Tommy Edman will be sliding over from 2nd base to take over at short. To take DeJong's spot on the roster, the Cards have selected the contract of infielder Kramer Robertson, who's finally broken through the door to the majors for the first time as a 27-year-old. 

However, Robertson, hitting only .225 at Triple-A this season, isn't the real answer for the long-term in the Cardinals infield. They still have one of baseball's top prospects sitting at Triple-A Memphis. 22-year-old Nolan Gorman has already blasted 12 home runs in just 26 games, with a .307 average and a 1.054 OPS. It's only a matter of time before he comes up to take over at second base for the long haul. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports