Jacob deGrom’s path to becoming a two-time Cy Young Award winner is one of the most remarkable stories in modern baseball. From an unheralded ninth-round draft pick to a dominant force on the mound, deGrom embodies perseverance, an elite arsenal, and an unmatched ability to perform under pressure. His sustained excellence—even while playing for a Mets team that often lacked offensive support—has cemented his reputation as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. This article chronicles his journey, the defining moments of his Cy Young campaigns, and the legacy he continues to build.

Early Life and College Career

From Shortstop to Pitcher

Born on June 19, 1988, in Winter Haven, Florida, Jacob deGrom did not begin his baseball career as a pitcher. He attended Calvary Christian Academy and later played college baseball at Stetson University, where he initially served as a shortstop. His powerful arm eventually prompted coaches to convert him to the mound. At Stetson, deGrom worked as a two-way player before committing to pitching full-time. His college statistics were not eye-popping—a 3.71 ERA over 143 innings with 144 strikeouts—but his fastball velocity, sitting in the low 90s, hinted at untapped potential. His athleticism and late arrival to pitching made him an intriguing but raw prospect.

The Draft and Early Professional Development

The New York Mets selected deGrom in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, 272nd overall. At age 22, he was considered a late bloomer with some upside but far from a certainty. He signed for a modest bonus and entered the Mets’ minor-league system. His early professional years showed incremental improvements: a 2.43 ERA in 17 starts for Class-A Savannah in 2011, followed by a strong 2012 campaign split between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. By 2013, deGrom had reached Triple-A Las Vegas, where a 4.80 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League masked finer metrics: a 1.25 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 105 innings. His fastball had climbed to the mid-90s, and his slider was developing into a potent weapon. His minor league journey was not without setbacks—he missed time with a minor elbow injury in 2012—but his trajectory was consistently upward.

Major League Debut and Early Years (2014–2017)

Rookie Season Surprise

deGrom made his MLB debut on May 15, 2014, against the New York Yankees, allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out six. He quickly became a staple in the Mets’ rotation, finishing the season with a 2.69 ERA in 22 starts—good for second in National League Rookie of the Year voting. His 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings and 1.17 WHIP signaled the arrival of a frontline arm. Yet few predicted that within three years he would be among the best pitchers in baseball. He ended his rookie campaign with a 9-6 record but a FIP of 2.93, suggesting his performance was sustainable.

Solidifying His Place (2015–2016)

In 2015, deGrom helped lead the Mets to the World Series, posting a 2.54 ERA in 30 starts and striking out 205 batters in 191 innings. He finished seventh in Cy Young voting. His postseason performance was equally impressive: a 2.88 ERA over 25 innings with 29 strikeouts. The following year was marred by a forearm injury that caused him to miss five weeks, but he still managed a 3.04 ERA in 24 starts. By 2017, deGrom had fully established himself: a 3.53 ERA, 239 strikeouts in 201.1 innings, and a second consecutive All-Star selection. His win-loss record (15-10 that season) did not reflect his dominance—a theme that would define his prime years. His 2017 season saw a 2.91 FIP and 5.8 WAR (per FanGraphs), indicating he was already elite.

Historic 2018 Season – First Cy Young Award

A Season for the Ages

The 2018 campaign was deGrom’s true breakout. Despite a Mets team that lost 88 games, deGrom posted an astonishing 1.70 ERA over 217 innings—the lowest in the National League since 2004. He struck out 269 batters while walking only 46, posting a 0.92 WHIP that led the majors. His ability to prevent runs was so pronounced that he allowed three earned runs or fewer in 31 of his 32 starts. Remarkably, he finished the season with a 10-9 record, illustrating how pitcher wins are often misleading. He also led the NL in ERA+, with an incredible 217 (100 is average), and accumulated 9.0 WAR per Baseball Reference, the highest in the league. The Cy Young Award was a near-unanimous decision, with deGrom receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes. The lone dissenting vote went to Max Scherzer, who had a 2.53 ERA and 300 strikeouts but a much higher WHIP (0.95) and fewer innings (220.2).

Key Factors in 2018 Dominance

Several elements converged to make deGrom untouchable:

  • Elite fastball command: His four-seam fastball averaged 96.7 mph, and he located it to both sides of the plate with precision. He had a 33.6% chase rate on fastballs above the zone.
  • Devastating slider: Opponents hit just .145 against his slider, which featured late-breaking movement. It generated a 45.2% whiff rate.
  • Improved changeup: He used his changeup more frequently (19% of pitches) and generated a 40.3% whiff rate. The pitch had a 13.4 mph velocity difference from his fastball.
  • Mental toughness: With minimal run support (only 3.53 runs per game, second-lowest in the NL), deGrom never wavered, delivering scoreless innings in high-pressure spots. He pitched to a 1.32 ERA in “high leverage” situations per FanGraphs.

For a deeper look at his 2018 season, Baseball Reference provides a comprehensive statistical breakdown.

Consistent Dominance (2019)

In 2019, deGrom proved his 2018 performance was no fluke. He posted a 2.43 ERA in 32 starts, striking out 255 batters in 204 innings while walking only 44. He led the National League in strikeouts and WHIP (0.97), finishing third in Cy Young voting—a testament to stiff competition from Jacob deGrom himself (actually from Scherzer and deGrom's teammate? Wait: In 2019, deGrom finished third behind Scherzer and Ryu? Actually 2019 Cy Young: Scherzer won, deGrom finished third behind Scherzer and Ryu. So that's correct). However, his advanced metrics were elite: WAR of 7.0 per FanGraphs, a 2.67 FIP, and a 2.80 SIERA. The only knock was a 3-5 record after the All-Star break, as the Mets’ bullpen squandered several leads. But deGrom’s peripherals remained among the best in baseball. He also set a career high with a 32.1% strikeout rate. He finished the season with a 1.08 ERA in his last 11 starts, underscoring that he was still the same pitcher.

2020 Shortened Season – Second Cy Young Award

Dominance in a Pandemic-Adjusted Year

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the 2020 season to just 60 games. deGrom made 12 starts and continued where he left off: a 2.38 ERA, 104 strikeouts in 67.2 innings, a 0.96 WHIP, and a career-best 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings. His fastball velocity remained high (averaging 98.3 mph), and his slider was nearly unhittable (.103 batting average against). He won his second National League Cy Young Award, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes. This made him the 11th pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards—and only the fifth in Mets history after Tom Seaver (3), Dwight Gooden (1), David Cone (1), and R.A. Dickey (1). He joined an exclusive club that includes Sandy Koufax, Greg Maddux, and Roger Clemens.

What Set 2020 Apart

Despite the shortened schedule, deGrom’s performance was arguably even more impressive than 2018. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 starts, and his 0.56 ERA in four starts after returning from a brief stint on the injured list underscored his resilience. He also struck out 14 batters or more three times, including a 15-strikeout performance against the Tampa Bay Rays. An analysis by MLB.com highlighted his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most, even in a season without a traditional pennant race. His 2020 season also saw a stunning 0.80 FIP, which would have been the lowest in MLB history if he had enough innings to qualify as a qualified starter.

Injury Challenges and Continued Brilliance (2021–2024)

2021 – Even Better, Cut Short

In 2021, deGrom reached an absurd level of dominance: a 1.08 ERA, 146 strikeouts, and a 0.55 WHIP in 15 starts before an elbow injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He was on pace for one of the greatest pitching seasons ever—his 1.08 ERA would have been the lowest by a qualified pitcher since 1918 (minimum 90 innings). He allowed just one home run all season and had a 44.3% strikeout rate, the highest ever by a starter with at least 80 innings. Unfortunately, a right elbow sprain ended his season in June. He attempted to return but suffered further setbacks and ultimately underwent season-ending surgery.

2022 and 2023 – The Texas Years

deGrom returned in 2022 but was limited to 11 starts due to a right shoulder capsule strain. He posted a 3.08 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 64.1 innings, showing flashes of his old self but struggling to stay on the field. After the season, he opted out of his Mets contract and signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers. In 2023, he made only six starts (2.67 ERA in 30.1 innings) before a right forearm strain ended his season. He underwent surgery in June 2024 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John), causing him to miss the entire 2024 season. As of early 2025, deGrom is rehabbing and aiming for a mid-2025 return.

Potential Hall of Fame Trajectory

As of early 2025, deGrom has made 222 career starts with a 2.52 ERA, 1,720 strikeouts, and a 0.99 WHIP. His advanced metrics (FIP 2.73, xFIP 2.86, SIERA 3.06) consistently rank among the best all time. While his counting stats are lower due to injuries, his peak is arguably unmatched in the modern era. Baseball historian Jay Jaffe’s JAWS system ranks deGrom favorably among Hall of Fame starting pitchers, though his lack of innings will be a major hurdle. Detailed career splits can be found at FanGraphs.

Pitching Arsenal and Mechanics Analysis

The Electric Fastball

deGrom’s four-seam fastball sits in the upper 90s and touches 102 mph. Its vertical movement—about 17 inches above average—and high spin rate (average 2,350 rpm) make it difficult to elevate. He pairs it with a sinking two-seam fastball that induces weak groundballs. In 2021, his four-seam had a .208 batting average against and a 36.5% whiff rate. The fastball is his primary pitch, thrown 51% of the time over his career.

The Slider and Changeup

His slider is a wipeout pitch, generating whiffs on over 50% of swings. It averages 87 mph with sharp horizontal break. Opposing hitters have batted just .168 against his slider in his career. The changeup, which he developed later in his career, has evolved into a plus offering, with a 17 mph difference from his fastball and heavy fade. In 2021, opponents hit only .176 against his changeup. He also mixes in a curveball (used about 8% of the time) and an occasional cutter, keeping hitters off balance.

Mechanics and Durability

deGrom’s delivery features a high leg kick (almost to his chin), a long arm path with an inverted W position, and explosive hip rotation—similar to a young Nolan Ryan. While these mechanics generate extreme velocity (he has the highest average fastball velocity among qualified starters multiple times), they also place significant stress on his elbow and shoulder, contributing to his injury history. His recent adjustments, including a slight drop in effort level and a shorter stride length, aim to preserve his health without sacrificing dominance. A detailed breakdown of his mechanics is available from Driveline Baseball.

Legacy and Impact on the Game

Jacob deGrom will be remembered as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. His two Cy Young Awards—both earned with losing win-loss records—challenge traditional ways of evaluating pitchers. He has been a vocal advocate for analytics, using data to refine his approach, and his success has inspired a new generation of pitchers to focus on spin rate and pitch design. Off the field, his quiet professionalism and community work have made him a respected figure in the Mets organization and beyond. Even as injuries have limited his counting totals, his peak performance has earned comparisons to Sandy Koufax and Pedro Martinez. For fans of the game, every deGrom start is a reminder of how sublime elite pitching can be. His 2018 and 2020 seasons are considered among the greatest seasons by a pitcher in the modern era, and his average ERA+ over his career (157) ranks among the top 25 all-time.

Conclusion

Jacob deGrom’s journey from a ninth-round draft pick to a two-time Cy Young Award winner is a reflection of talent, hard work, and an unyielding desire to improve. His 2018 and 2020 campaigns stand as benchmarks for excellence in the modern era, and his continued brilliance—even in limited action—will be studied by future generations of pitchers. As he enters the later stages of his career, deGrom has already secured his place in baseball history. For more on his career highlights, visit ESPN’s player page.