Baseball Fathers and Sons: Part V, The DeShields

The DeShields

As the first week of the baseball season ends, the DeShields, both named Delino, have been added to the list of fathers and sons that have played Major League baseball.

Father:  Delino DeShields

 

Delino DeShields Upper Deck 2001 Card #92

Delino DeShields was the first round selection (12th overall pick) of the Expos in the June 1987 amateur draft.  DeShields made his major league debut on April 9, 1990, starting at second base and batting leadoff, in the Expos 6 - 5 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.  During the game, DeShields had four hits in six at bats, getting his first hit, a single in the top of the 4th inning off Cardinal starter Joe Magrane.   In the 6th inning, after leading off with a double against Magrane, DeShields scored his first major league run and the Expos first run of the game, when he was plated on Tim Raines ground out.   In the 7th inning, DeShields single to leftfield knocked in pinch runner, Otis Nixon, with his first major league RBI, which gave the Expos a 4 to 3 lead.  In the top of the 11th inning, DeShields lined out to left field as in the bottom of the inning, Cardinals Milt Thompson scored the game winning run on Willie McGee's single. 

 

DeShields played 13 seasons in the major leagues, with the Expos (during his first four seasons), Dodgers (three seasons), Orioles (three seasons), Cardinals (two seasons), and Cubs (two seasons).  After completing his first year, DeShields finished second to Braves outfielder, David Justice, in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year award.   In November 1993, he was traded by the Expos to the Dodgers, for 2015 Hall of Fame inductee, pitcher Pedro Martinez.

 

DeShields best season was in 1997.  While playing with the Cardinals, DeShields batted .295 (169 hits in 572 at bats), with 11 home runs and 58 RBI and 55 stolen bases.  That season, he lead the National League with 14 triples.  He finished his career with a batting average of .268 (1548 hits in 5779 at bats) with 80 home runs and 561 RBI.  He had 463 stolen bases with a career slugging percentage of .377 and an OPS of .729.  

 

DeShields post season experience was playing in the 1995 and 1996 National League Division Series with the Dodgers.   He appeared in three games in the 1995 series, when the Dodgers loss three games to zero to the Reds.  During that series, he got three hits in 12 at bats, walking once.  In the 1996 series, when the Dodgers loss three games to zero to the Braves, DeShields appeared in 2 games, batting four times with no hits.  

Son:  Delino DeShields

 

Delino DeShields 2011 Bowman Platinum Prospects X-Refractor Card #BPP41

In the June 2010 amateur draft, Delino DeShields was the first round selection of the Astros, the eighth overall pick.  While playing in five minor league seasons with the Astros, he batted .267 (519 hits in 1944 at bats) with 37 home runs and 228 RBI and a slugging percentage of .396 and an OPS of .758 with 241 stolen bases.  His best seasons were in 2012 and 2013.  In 2012, splitting time with South Atlantic League member, Lexington Legends, and California League entry, Lancaster JetHawks, DeShields batted .287 (154 hits in 537 at bats) with 12 home runs and 61 RBI and 101 stolen bases.  In 2013, he returned to play with the JetHawks, when he batted .317 (143 hits in 451 at bats) with 5 home runs and 54 RBI, with 14 triples and 51 stolen bases.

 

While in the minor leagues, DeShields was rated as a top prospect by:

 

Baseball America: Pre - 2014 listed as prospect #99

 

MLB.com: Pre - 2014 listed as prospect #66      

 

BaseballProspectus.com: Pre - 2011 listed as prospect #82

 

BaseballProspectus.com: Pre - 2013 listed as prospect #101

 

In December 2014, DeShields was the third selection in the Rule 5 Draft, picked by the Rangers and at end of spring training this year, he made their 25 man roster. 

 

DeShields made his major league debut this past Wednesday, on April 8, for the Rangers in their 10 - 0 loss to the A's. 

 

DeShields enter the game in the 7th inning as a defensive replacement for centerfielder, Leonys Martin.  DeShields first major league at bat was in the top of the next inning when he got his first base hit, a infield single off A's reliever, Dan Otero.  On Friday, April 10, in the Rangers 5 - 1 loss to the Astros, DeShields entered the game in the top of the sixth inning as a defensive replacement for leftfielder, Ryan Rua .  In the bottom of the next inning, DeShields fielder choice ground out forced Prince Fielder at second, and scored Adrian Beltre, for his first major league RBI. 

 

In the Rangers game last night, on April 11, a 6 - 2 win over the Astros, DeShields entered the game the seventh inning as he pinch ran for Rangers designated hitter, Mitch Moreland.  During that inning, he garnered his first major league stolen base with a steal of second base.