CJ Deckinga has emerged as one of the spring’s breakout high school baseball prospects.
The Minooka (Ill.) High School third baseman committed his offseason to adding strength, giving up basketball to focus solely on baseball training. He added about 20 pounds of muscle and refined his tools, becoming a more complete player.
The added strength and athleticism have helped the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Deckinga improve his 60-yard dash time and increase his exit velocity. Scouts have taken notice, and Deckinga has vaulted up MLB draft boards. He is a projected top-five-round pick in July’s draft.
“Gaining some of that pro interest has just been unreal for me, and it’s just so humbling to see all my hard work paying off,” Deckinga said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play professional baseball, so knowing that’s a real opportunity for me is crazy to me.”
Deckinga began to gain significant notoriety following his standout performance at the Prep Baseball Report Super 60 in February. He earned an invitation to the event after impressing scouts at the PBR Illinois Preseason ProCase. At the Super 60, Deckinga made the most of the opportunity, showcasing his well-rounded skill set — particularly his ability to drive the baseball with authority.
Deckinga uses a smooth swing to drive the ball with authority into the gaps from the right side of the plate. He boasts above-average raw power potential and figures to improve in that area as he matures. He consistently produces exit velocities in the mid-90s and peaked at 102.3 mph at the Super 60, showcasing impressive power off the bat.
As time goes on, Deckinga aims to keep refining his approach at the plate, with a focus on driving more balls to the opposite field.
“I really think my offensive game is like my biggest tool right now, being able to control the barrel throughout the zone and spray balls all over the field,” he said. “That’s my biggest strength right now. I continue to work hard at it just to see how much more I can improve it before the next step of my baseball career.”
Defensively, Deckinga is a respectable and athletic defender at third base. He moves well for his size and boasts a strong arm.
Over the past year, Deckinga has enhanced his athleticism through dedicated off-field training, lowering his 60-yard dash time to 6.77 seconds.
“Continuing to work on my defensive game, whether that’s my backhand or forehand range. I also have recently been working on slow rollers at third, with my ability to field it with two hands and get the ball out quick,” he said.
In addition to being a draft prospect, Deckinga is committed to Michigan State. At the start of his recruitment, he heard from 52 schools before narrowing his list and ultimately visiting East Lansing, Michigan. He built a strong connection with the coaching staff and respected their vision for developing him into a professional player. His decision was also influenced by a personal connection to the program and a long-time loyalty as a fan.
“My grandparents fell in love at Michigan State, so growing up, I’ve always rooted for Sparty,” Deckinga said. “You know it’s like my dream school. When I got on campus there, I just felt like it was the right fit for me.”
Video of CJ Deckinga.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. He has interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
