Early Career and Breakout Years

Jacob deGrom made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Mets on May 15, 2014, after a swift rise through the farm system. Originally drafted as a shortstop, he converted to pitching during his college years at Stetson University. His early professional years were marked by steady development, but few predicted the level of dominance he would eventually achieve. In his rookie season, deGrom posted a 9-6 record with a 2.69 ERA over 22 starts, earning the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He struck out 144 batters in 140.1 innings, establishing a foundation that hinted at greatness to come.

The 2015 season saw deGrom solidify his place as a frontline starter. He finished with a 14-8 record, a 2.54 ERA, and 205 strikeouts across 191 innings. He made his first All-Star appearance and played a pivotal role in the Mets' run to the World Series. His postseason performance included a 3-1 record and a 2.88 ERA in five starts, demonstrating his ability to excel under pressure. This season laid the groundwork for his later peak years, though it was only a preview of the historic numbers he would soon produce.

In 2016, deGrom continued his upward trajectory, posting a 7-8 record with a 3.04 ERA over 148 innings, though his strikeout rate dipped slightly. He battled through some inconsistency but still finished with a 3.5 WAR, proving he could be a reliable rotation anchor even in a down year. The 2017 season was another step forward: he went 15-10 with a 3.53 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 201.1 innings, leading the National League in strikeouts for the first time. His strikeout rate jumped to 10.7 per nine innings, signaling that his stuff was becoming truly elite. That season, he also posted a career-best 1.7 BB/9 at the time, showing improved command that would define his peak.

The Peak Seasons: 2018–2022

2018 Season: A Masterpiece of Pitching

The 2018 season is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitching campaigns in modern baseball history. DeGrom posted a 10-9 record, but his supporting statistics were staggering. His earned run average (ERA) of 1.70 led the National League and was the lowest in the majors since Clayton Kershaw's 1.69 in 2014. Over 217 innings, he allowed just 124 hits, walked 46 batters, and struck out 269. His WHIP of 0.91 was the best in baseball, and he held opposing batters to a .194 batting average.

Despite a lack of run support—the Mets scored two or fewer runs in over half his starts—deGrom won the National League Cy Young Award unanimously. He also finished fifth in MVP voting, an extraordinary feat for a pitcher on a non-playoff team. Advanced metrics further illustrate his dominance: his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was 1.98, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.85 ranked among the league's best. This season redefined expectations for pitcher performance and set a new standard for dominance in the modern era.

What made 2018 so remarkable was the context. The average ERA in the National League that season was 4.10, meaning deGrom was over two full runs better than the league average. His ERA+ of 211 indicated he was 111% better than league average when adjusting for park factors. He allowed more than three earned runs in only three of his 32 starts, and he pitched at least seven innings in 20 of those outings. The Mets went 13-19 in his starts, a direct result of scoring just 3.5 runs per game while he was on the mound.

2019 Season: Consistency and Strikeout Dominance

In 2019, deGrom built on his 2018 success with another Cy Young-caliber year. He finished with an 11-8 record, a 2.43 ERA, and 255 strikeouts across 204 innings. His WHIP was a remarkable 0.97, and he allowed just 0.8 home runs per nine innings. While his ERA was slightly higher than the previous season, his strikeout rate improved to 11.3 per nine innings, and he recorded a career-best 6.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

DeGrom's 2019 campaign featured a dominant stretch from June through August, during which he posted a 1.73 ERA over 11 starts. He won his second consecutive Cy Young Award, becoming the 12th pitcher in MLB history to win the award in back-to-back seasons. He also started the All-Star Game for the National League. Per Baseball Reference, his 2019 season was worth 7.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), tying his 2018 mark as the best among all pitchers that season.

The 2019 season also showcased deGrom's improved durability. He made 32 starts for the second consecutive season, throwing at least six innings in 27 of them. His walk rate dropped to 1.7 BB/9, and he induced weak contact with a soft-contact rate of 28.4%. He also held batters to a .211 average with runners in scoring position, demonstrating his ability to bear down in crucial situations.

2020 Season: Shortened but Spectacular

The pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw deGrom make just 12 starts, but his performance was no less impressive. He went 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 68 innings, striking out 104 batters while walking only 18. His strikeout rate of 13.8 per nine innings was the highest in the majors among qualified starters. His FIP of 2.26 suggested his ERA could have been even lower with better defensive support.

DeGrom also recorded a career-best 5.78 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 0.96. He finished third in Cy Young voting, a testament to how high the bar had been set for him. Despite the limited sample size, his 2020 performance reinforced his reputation as an electric arm capable of dominating in any context. His fastball velocity averaged 98.8 mph that season, the highest of his career to that point, and his slider produced a 49% whiff rate.

The 60-game schedule meant deGrom's brilliance was condensed into a shorter timeframe, but his per-inning numbers were arguably the best in baseball. His 1.9 BB/9 and 13.8 K/9 placed him in elite company alongside pitchers like Shane Bieber and Yu Darvish, who received more Cy Young consideration due to deGrom's limited innings.

2021 Season: Historic First Half

The 2021 season was a story of two halves for deGrom. Through his first 15 starts, he was arguably the best pitcher baseball had ever seen. He posted a 1.08 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 92 innings, allowing just 0.5 walks per nine innings. His fastball averaged 99 mph, and his slider had a whiff rate of over 60%. He struck out 45.1% of batters faced in that stretch, a rate that would have shattered the single-season record.

However, deGrom missed significant time due to forearm and elbow injuries, making only 11 starts after July 1. He finished the season with a 7-4 record, a 1.08 ERA, and 146 strikeouts in 92 innings. He also posted a WAR of 4.6 in just 15 starts, per FanGraphs, indicating his performance was historically valuable per inning. Despite the injury-shortened season, deGrom finished second in Cy Young voting.

Let's put the 2021 first half in perspective. His 1.08 ERA through 15 starts was the lowest for any pitcher through that many starts since earned runs became an official statistic in 1913. His 0.5 BB/9 was the lowest walk rate in MLB history for any pitcher with at least 80 innings in a season. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in all 15 starts and did not allow a single home run in 12 of them. The only blemish was a pair of outings where he gave up three runs each, but even those were quality starts.

2022 Season: Explosive Start, Another Injury Setback

DeGrom's 2022 season was delayed until August 2 due to a stress reaction in his right scapula, but he returned with the same elite stuff. Over 11 starts, he recorded a 5-4 record, a 3.08 ERA, and 102 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. His strikeout rate of 14.3 per nine innings was the best in baseball for pitchers with at least 60 innings. He also posted a WHIP of 0.75, the lowest in the majors that season.

After exercising his opt-out clause and signing a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers, deGrom's 2022 season was a reminder of his potential when healthy. However, his ERA was slightly higher than previous years due to a spike in home runs allowed (1.4 per nine innings). His FIP of 2.88 indicated he was still elite, but the injuries had clearly limited his ability to maintain peak performance over a full season.

DeGrom's 2022 campaign also featured some of the most electric stuff of his career. His fastball averaged 99.1 mph, and his slider generated a 56% whiff rate. He struck out at least 10 batters in five of his 11 starts, and he did not allow more than four earned runs in any outing. The home run issue was notable—he served up nine homers in 64.1 innings—but much of that damage was concentrated in a few starts where his command was slightly off.

Key Attributes of deGrom's Dominance

Velocity and Fastball Command

DeGrom's four-seam fastball consistently sits at 97–99 mph and can touch 101 mph. He commands the pitch to both sides of the plate, historically generating a whiff rate around 30%. His fastball usage has decreased over his career as he has incorporated more breaking balls, but it remains the foundation of his arsenal. Among starting pitchers, deGrom's fastball velocity ranks in the 99th percentile, allowing him to get ahead in counts and set up secondary pitches.

What separates deGrom's fastball from other flamethrowers is his ability to locate it precisely. He can throw it up in the zone for swings and misses or pound the lower corners for called strikes. His release point creates a flat approach angle that makes the ball appear to rise, leading to high whiff rates even when batters know the pitch is coming.

Slider and Changeup Mastery

His slider, averaging 89–92 mph, is one of the most effective swinging-strike pitches in baseball. In 2021, batters hit just .141 against it with a 52% whiff rate. The pitch has extreme horizontal break and tunnels off his fastball, making it nearly impossible to distinguish early. His changeup, used primarily against lefties, has a velocity differential of 11–13 mph and generates weak contact. This three-pitch mix, combined with an occasional curveball, gives hitters little to key on.

The slider has evolved over deGrom's career. Early on, he threw it more as a sweepy breaking ball, but he now commands it with precision, throwing it in any count and to either side of the plate. Left-handed batters have been particularly vulnerable to the slider, hitting under .200 against it in every season since 2018.

Command and Control

DeGrom's walk rate has consistently been among the league's best. He posted a 1.5 BB/9 in 2018, 1.7 in 2019, and a minuscule 0.5 BB/9 during his historic 2021 start. His ability to locate pitches on the edges of the strike zone forces batters to chase pitches out of the zone, contributing to his high strikeout totals. His 2021 walk rate of 0.7 per nine innings over 92 innings was the lowest in MLB history for any pitcher with at least 50 innings.

This command is not just about throwing strikes—it is about throwing quality strikes. DeGrom can paint the outside corner against right-handed batters or elevate a fastball just above the zone to get a swing-and-miss. He rarely misses over the heart of the plate, which keeps his hard-hit rate among the lowest in baseball.

Mental Fortitude and Work Ethic

DeGrom is known for his intense preparation and relentless work ethic. He routinely studies scouting reports and video to exploit weaknesses in opposing hitters. His competitive nature was on full display during his 2018 season, when he never complained about lack of run support and continued to pitch at an elite level. His durability, however, has been a concern—prior to 2023, he had not made more than 21 starts in a season since 2019.

Teammates and coaches frequently praise deGrom's focus and professionalism. He is known for keeping a consistent routine between starts, never deviating from his preparation even when dealing with minor injuries. That discipline has helped him maintain elite performance even when his body has not cooperated.

Advanced Metrics and Historical Context

When evaluating deGrom's peak, advanced metrics paint a picture of historical dominance. From 2018 to 2021, his ERA+ (adjusted for park and league) was 216, meaning he was 116% better than the league average. Among pitchers with at least 400 innings in that span, he leads all of baseball in ERA+, strikeout rate, and WHIP. His 2021 strikeout rate of 45.1% through 15 starts would have broken the single-season record held by Shane Bieber (41.9% in 2020) if he had qualified.

His FIP during his peak (2018–2021) was 1.89, the lowest in MLB history over a four-season stretch with a minimum of 500 innings. His 2021 FIP of 1.26 in his first 15 starts is the lowest for any pitcher over a comparable period in the modern era, according to MLB.com. These numbers place him in the same tier as peak Sandy Koufax, Pedro Martinez, and Greg Maddux.

To further illustrate deGrom's dominance, consider his batting average against (BAA) during his peak. From 2018 through 2021, he held batters to a .189 average, the lowest in baseball among pitchers with at least 400 innings. His on-base percentage against was .241, and his slugging percentage against was .301. Those numbers are comparable to what prime Pedro Martinez allowed during his best seasons.

Injuries and Their Impact on Longevity

Despite his brilliance, deGrom's career has been marred by injuries. He has missed significant time due to forearm tightness, elbow issues, shoulder inflammation, and a scapula stress reaction. Since 2018, he has made only 20 or more starts in a season once (2019). The 2021 and 2022 seasons were both cut short, and his 2023 season with the Rangers was also abbreviated due to Tommy John surgery that kept him out for the entire year. This fragility raises the question of whether his peak can be sustained over the remainder of his contract.

The injury history is frustrating for fans and analysts alike. DeGrom has the talent to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but the cumulative time missed makes his counting stats fall short of typical benchmarks. He has amassed just over 1,300 career innings, and his career WAR of roughly 45 places him below many of his contemporaries who have pitched more frequently.

In 2024, deGrom returned from Tommy John surgery to make a handful of starts for the Rangers, showing flashes of his old form. He posted a 3.38 ERA over 10.2 innings with 14 strikeouts, but his velocity was down slightly, and his command was not as sharp. The Rangers are cautiously optimistic that he can return to form in 2025, but the injury risk remains high for a pitcher entering his age-37 season.

Legacy and Comparison to All-Time Greats

Jacob deGrom's best seasons are among the greatest in baseball history by rate statistics. His 2018 and 2021 seasons, in particular, are often compared to Pedro Martinez's 1999–2000 peak or Randy Johnson's 2001–2002 run. However, deGrom's lack of innings and accumulated WAR due to injuries prevents him from ranking higher on career leaderboards. He has two Cy Young Awards, four All-Star selections, and a Rookie of the Year award, but many analysts believe he could have won four Cy Youngs if not for health issues.

DeGrom's 2021 first half was dubbed the best half-season ever by several outlets, including ESPN, who noted his combination of strikeouts, walks, and ERA was unprecedented. His ability to dominate at an elite level when healthy has solidified his place as one of the most talented pitchers to ever take the mound, even if the volume of his excellence remains tantalizingly incomplete.

When comparing deGrom to other modern pitchers, the most apt comparison might be to Sandy Koufax, who also had a relatively short peak due to injury. Koufax won three Cy Young Awards and five ERA titles over a six-year span from 1961 to 1966 before retiring at age 30 due to arthritis. DeGrom's peak from 2018 to 2022 is similarly dominant, though he has not maintained it for as long due to injuries.

The Future: What Remains for deGrom

As deGrom enters the later stages of his career, the question is whether he can stay healthy enough to add to his legacy. He is under contract with the Rangers through 2027, and the team will likely manage his workload carefully to maximize his availability. If he can make 25–30 starts per season with even 80% of his peak performance, he could still accumulate impressive counting stats.

The Rangers have built a strong defensive infield and a productive offense, which should provide deGrom with the run support he lacked in New York. If he can stay on the field, he has a chance to post win totals that reflect his actual performance rather than being undermined by poor run support.

Ultimately, deGrom's legacy will be defined by his per-inning dominance. He may not reach 3,000 strikeouts or 200 career wins, but his peak seasons will be remembered as some of the most electrifying pitching in baseball history. For fans who watched him during his prime, the memory of his 99 mph fastball and devastating slider will endure long after his career ends.

Conclusion

Jacob deGrom's best pitching seasons—2018, 2019, 2021, and the dominant stretches of 2020 and 2022—have redefined what is possible in terms of strikeout-to-walk ratios, ERA, and batting average against. His combination of elite velocity, precision control, and devastating secondary pitches has made him a nightmare for opposing hitters and a modern marvel for baseball statisticians. While injuries have prevented him from amassing the counting stats of all-time greats, his per-inning dominance during his peak is unmatched. As he continues his career with the Texas Rangers, the baseball world watches with hope that he can stay healthy and deliver more of the brilliance that has defined his career so far.

Whether or not deGrom adds to his legacy, his place in baseball history is secure. He is the rare pitcher who made fans stop whatever they were doing to watch his starts, knowing they might witness something historic. That kind of impact transcends statistics and is the true measure of a great player.