MLB Prospects: This Date in MLB Prospect Debuts (April 9)

Every morning, I will look back at a memorable MLB debut made on this specific date using information provided by Baseball Reference’s MLB Play Index.  

Making his MLB debut as the Montreal Expos’ second baseman on April 9, 1990, Delino DeShields turned in a four-hit performance out of the leadoff spot in a 6-5 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Unfortunately, he was the only member of the Expos to string together multiple hits that evening, as his four knocks accounted for half of the team’s total hits (eight). Furthermore, he was the only Expos’ player to score multiple runs and collect an extra-base hit.  Therefore, it comes as no surprise that DeShields was the only player on the team to register an RE24 above 1.00 (1.7) and a WPA above .200 (0.239).

He ultimately finished the game 4-for-6, with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base. On defense, DeShields was just as busy as he was at the plate.  The second baseman recorded four putouts and a team-high eight assists.

DeShields placed second in the 1990 National League Rookie of the Year voting after batting .289/.375/.393 with 38 extra-base hits, 42 stolen bases and a 96/66 K/BB rate as a top-of-the-order hitter.

His four-hit game was the beginning of an impressive 13-year career for the speedy left-handed hitter.  Drafted as the 12th overall pick in the 1987 MLB Amateur Draft, DeShields played for five different organizations (Expos, Dodgers, Orioles, Cardinals, and Cubs) between 1990 and 2002.

DeShields finished his career with a .268/.352/.377 average, while amassing 463 stolen bases, 74 triples and 1,548 total hits.