Paul DeJong's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Kansas City Royals catcher/outfielder MJ Melendez and shortstop Paul DeJong are starting Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers on the bench. Both players have been swinging hot bats recently, with Melendez slashing .278/.316/.500 and DeJong slashing .375/.423/.750 in their last seven games. This speaks to the strength and depth of the Royals lineup, as Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are starting in their places. Still, both or either player could find their way into the game as pinch hitters late.

Kansas City Royals third baseman Paul DeJong swatted his 21st homer in Monday's 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, one of his two hits in four at-bats. DeJong's two-run homer off Angels pitcher Carson Fulmer came in the bottom of the fourth to give the Royals a 3-0 lead. He is hitting .316/.372/.605 with three homers, eight RBI, and seven runs scored in 13 games with the Royals after being traded from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline. DeJong is hitting a combined .237/.286/.448 with 21 homers, 49 RBI, and 46 runs scored with two steals in three attempts. He's found a groove in the bottom of the Royals order, and fantasy managers are grooving with him.

The Kansas City Royals are acquiring veteran shortstop Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, according to a source. It's unclear what the return will be heading back to the White Sox. The Royals already have one of the best shortstops in the game in Bobby Witt Jr., so DeJong will give the contending Royals more infield depth as they look to secure a wild-card spot in the American League down the stretch. The 30-year-old DeJong has hit only .228 (77-for-337) in Chicago in 2024, but it's come with 18 home runs, 41 RBI and 39 runs scored in 363 plate appearances and 102 games. His clearest path to playing time with his new squad will probably come at second base. As long as DeJong is playing regularly, this trade will be a nice boost to his fantasy value in deeper leagues for his right-handed power stroke. DeJong is riding a five-game hitting streak with a homer and two doubles.