David DeJesus, Outfield, Retired


Date of Birth: 12/20/1979
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
College: Rutgers University

David DeJesus, retired left fielder, was first drafted by the New York Mets in 1997 but he opted to go to Rutgers University instead. In 2000, he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals but he didn't start playing professionally until 2002. He played in the minor leagues in 2002 and 2003, playing in just 12 games with the Royals in 2003.

DeJesus batted .287 in 96 games with the Royals in 2004. The following season, he batted .293 in 122 games. His best season with the Royals was probably 2008 when he batted .307 with a career high of 159 hits in 135 games.

In 2010, DeJesus had a thumb injury and surgery that shortened his season to 91 games. After the season ended, the Royals traded him to the Oakland Athletics. In his one season with the Athletics, DeJesus batted .240 with 106 hits in 131 games.

DeJesus signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in November, 2011. The following season, he batted .263 with 133 hits and 28 doubles in 148 games.

In August, 2013, after 84 games, the Cubs traded DeJesus to the Washington Nationals, who, four days later, traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2013, playing with three teams (Cubs, Nationals, Rays), DeJesus batted .251 with 98 hits in 122 games.

In November, 2013, DeJesus signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Rays. He finished the 2014 season with 59 hits, 15 doubles, and a .248 batting average in 83 games.

DeJesus was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on July 28, 2015. He finished the 2015 season with 67 hits and 30 RBIs in 82 games with the Rays and 30 games with the Angels. Defensively, he played 63 games in left field, 4 games in right field, and 2 games in center field.

DeJesus elected free agency on November 7, 2015. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2015.

DeJesus retired in March, 2017.

Statistics for DeJesus in 12 seasons (2004-2015) in the major leagues include:

  • 3 seasons with over 150 hits, with a high of 159 in 2008
  • 2 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 36 in 2006
  • 2 seasons with a batting average over .300, with a high of .318 in 91 games in 2010

Career batting statistics for DeJesus through 2018 include:

  • 1,472 games played
  • 1,434 hits
  • 288 doubles
  • 99 home runs
  • 573 RBIs
  • 838 strikeouts to 510 walks
  • .275 batting average

Career fielding statistics for DeJesus as an outfielder through 2018 include:

  • 398 games played in left field, 663 games played in center field, 329 games played in right field
  • 2,903 putouts
  • 24 errors

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - David DeJesus
ESPN - David DeJesus