Springfield's DeJong continues power surge

Like many players, Paul DeJong does not consider himself a power hitter in the truest sense of the word. His performance over the last week suggests otherwise.

The Cardinals' No. 18 prospect hit a pair of solo shots on Friday night, giving him five homers in his last six games, but Double-A Springfield dropped an 8-3 decision to Northwest Arkansas at Arvest Ballpark.

Despite the loss, the sudden power surge has helped DeJong raise his average 74 points to .255 in his last eight contests. 

"Honestly, I'm just swinging at good pitches," he said. "I've been getting in good counts, getting pitches I can handle and taking advantage of it. From what I've learned in my short career is that power comes in bunches. You just roll with it whenever it comes. I consider myself more of a gap-to-gap hitter with power who can pop the occasional home run."

The 2015 fourth-round pick enjoyed a strong pro debut last summer, hitting .316 with nine homers in 66 games in the Rookie-level Appalachian League and Class A Midwest League. Promoted to Double-A for 2016, he got off to a rough start, hitting .181 as recently as April 28. DeJong admitted that skipping the Class A Advanced level has been an adjustment. However, with a seven-game hitting streak during which he's batting .423 (11-for-26) with five homers and seven RBIs, he's finally starting to feel comfortable.

"I think it was a pretty decent jump from [Class A] to Double-A," the Illinois State product said. "But it's the same game and I've been able to make adjustments with my timing, getting loaded earlier so I can see the ball better. Having plate discipline is a huge thing, too. I know myself as I hitter, so by having that discipline and approach, I'm putting myself in a great situation at the plate."

After striking out in his first at-bat, DeJong got the Cardinals on the board in the fifth when he sent Matt Strahm's 1-1 pitch over the left-center field fence. He flied out in the fifth but went yard again in the eighth, giving him five homers in his last 26 at-bats after going homerless in his first 72.

"I just want to stay focused as much as I can for the entire season," DeJong said. "This is my first full professional season; it's going to be a long [142] games. It really is going to be more of a challenge mentally than physically, I think. I need to stick with my approach to get that consistency and come to the park ready to play every day."

Springfield starter Daniel Poncedeleon (1-3) allowed six runs -- one earned -- on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

Royals No. 13 prospect Ryan O'Hearn doubled twice and drove in two runs in his third game since a promotion from Class A Advanced Wilmington. Strahm (2-1) -- Kansas City's 10th-ranked prospect -- was charged with two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in seven innings.