Jacob deGrom, Starting Pitcher, Texas Rangers

Date of Birth: 6/19/1988
Birthplace: DeLand, Florida
College: Stetson University

Jacob deGrom, starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers, started as a shortstop in college but he transitioned to a pitcher in his third year at Stetson University. He was drafted by the New York Mets in 2010. He ended up pitching in just six games in their minor league system that season due to Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2011 season.

From 2010 through 2014, deGrom pitched in 58 games in the Mets' minor league system. He had a 3.62 ERA with a 21-11 record and 267 strikeouts to 82 walks in 323.1 innings.

deGrom was added to the Mets' starting rotation in 2014. He had a stellar first season, finishing with a 9-6 record, 144 strikeouts to 43 walks, and a 2.69 ERA in 22 games. He was rewarded for his efforts with the National League Rookie of the Year award.

deGrom had a strong second season with the Mets in 2015. He finished the season with a 14-8 record, 205 strikeouts to 38 walks, and a 2.54 ERA in 191.0 innings in 30 games. In 25.0 innings in 4 postseason games, he gave up 21 hits, including 2 home runs, and 8 runs. He struckout 29 batters and walked 8.

In 2016, deGrom had a 3.04 ERA in 24 games. He had 7 wins to 8 losses and 143 strikeouts to 36 walks in 148.0 innings. He didn't pitch in the Wild Card game.

deGrom had a 3.53 ERA in 31 games in 2017. He finished the season with career highs in wins (15 to 10 losses) and strikeouts (239 to 59 walks) in 201.1 innings. His strikeouts were the fifth highest in MLB in 2017.

Even though the Mets seemed unable to win games for deGrom, he still had an outstanding season in 2018, leading all of MLB in ERA. He finished the season with 10 wins and 9 losses, 269 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a 1.70 ERA in 217.0 innings in 32 games. On September 26th, his last pitch of the season was his career 1,000th strikeout. He won his first NL Cy Young award in 2018.

deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension with the Mets on March 26, 2019. He had another superb season in 2019, and he won his second consecutive Cy Young award. He led the NL in strikeouts with 255 (to 44 walks). He finished the season with 11 wins and 8 losses, and a 2.43 ERA in 204.0 innings in 32 games.

deGrom had another good year in the shortened 2020 season. In 12 games, he had 4 wins and 2 losses, a league leading 104 strikeouts to 18 walks, and an ERA of 2.38 in 68.0 innings.

deGrom was on his way to a record breaking season in 2021 when he ended up on the IL in midseason. In 15 games, he had 7 wins and 2 losses, 146 strikeouts to 11 walks, and a 1.08 ERA in 92.0 innings.

deGrom became a free agent on November 7, 2022. He signed with the Rangers on December 2nd.

Career pitching statistics for deGrom through 2021 include:

• 198 games played
• 1,261.2 innings pitched
• 77-53 win-loss record
• 1,505 strikeouts to 295 walks
• 2.50 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jacob deGrom
ESPN - Jacob deGrom
Baseball Reference - Jacob deGrom