Jacob deGrom has long been one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball, a two-time Cy Young Award winner known for his blazing fastball, pinpoint command, and almost mechanical consistency on the mound. Yet even a pitcher of his caliber could not remain untouched by the sweeping rule changes MLB introduced beginning in 2023. The pitch clock, limits on disengagements, and restrictions on mound visits were designed to accelerate the game’s pace and inject more action, but they also forced every pitcher — especially a control freak like deGrom — to fundamentally rethink how they approach each inning. Rather than resist the new constraints, deGrom adapted with the same discipline he brings to every start, emerging as a test case for how elite timing and preparation can succeed under baseball’s new order.

The New MLB Rule Landscape

The 2023 season brought three major rule changes that directly affect pitchers: the introduction of a 15-second pitch clock (20 seconds with runners on base), a limit of two pickoff attempts or step-offs per plate appearance, and a reduction in mound visits from six to four per game (with only one per inning after the fourth). The pitch clock was the most visible change — pitchers had to deliver the ball before the timer expired or face an automatic ball. The pickoff limit was intended to encourage more stolen bases and reduce the back-and-forth routines that slowed games. Mound visits, whether by the catcher, pitching coach, or manager, were capped to keep the game moving without endless conferences.

These rules didn’t just speed up play; they fundamentally altered the timing and psychology of pitching. Pitchers who had built careers on deliberate pre-pitch rituals — deep breaths, multiple looks to the runner, stepping off to reset — suddenly had to compress those routines into a shorter window. The pitch clock especially challenged pitchers who relied on going slow to disrupt a batter’s rhythm or those who needed extra time to think through a sequence. For a pitcher like deGrom, whose entire approach is built around repetition and control, the adjustments were both a threat and an opportunity.

According to MLB’s official rule summary, enforcement of the pitch clock began in Spring Training and carried through the regular season, with violators receiving automatic balls. The league also clarified that pitchers could still step off the rubber if they beat the timer, but doing so triggered a disengagement counter. The goal was clear: force the pitcher to work faster, give the batter a more consistent rhythm, and reduce dead time between pitches.

Pitch Clock Implementation and Its Impact on Routine

For most pitchers, the biggest adaptation was simply learning to work within the new time limits. deGrom, historically not the slowest pitcher on the mound but far from the fastest, had to consciously speed up his pre-pitch process. He described the change as “a mental game within the game” — he now sets his feet, gets the sign, and delivers with less internal deliberation. The result is a more mechanical rhythm, one that leaves less room for second-guessing but also reduces the mental fatigue that can accumulate over seven or eight innings. Multiple analysts at Fangraphs noted that pitch-clock compliance correlated with better command for pitchers who maintained their mechanics under pressure.

Limits on Pickoffs and Disengagement

The pickoff limit was perhaps the most strategic change. Before 2023, a pitcher could throw over to first as many times as he wanted, using the threat to control the running game. Under the new rules, each pitcher gets two disengagements per plate appearance — pickoff throws or step-offs — and a third that fails to get the runner out results in a balk. This forces pitchers either to hold runners on more effectively or to adjust their delivery to be faster to the plate. deGrom had never been an elite pickoff artist, but his combination of a quick slide step and a lively fastball made him difficult to run on. Now, with fewer pickoffs allowed, he had to become even more precise with his slide step and more deceptive in his looks to first.

Mound Visit and Catcher Communication Changes

Mound visits, once a cozy way for catchers to calm a pitcher down or discuss mechanics, are now limited to four per game plus one per extra inning. This rule cut down the familiar catcher-pitcher conferences that often reset the pace. For deGrom, who traditionally relied on frequent check-ins with David J. Wright or newer catchers to fine-tune grip or location, the restriction meant he had to trust his pregame plan more and rely on his own ability to self-correct mid-inning. He now works with catchers to have a shorthand — a single word or gesture — that communicates subtle adjustments without burning a visit.

Jacob deGrom’s Strategic Adjustments

Faced with these three broad constraints, deGrom responded not by fighting the clock but by embracing a simpler, more aggressive style. His adjustments fell into three interrelated areas: tempo and rhythm, handling of baserunners, and pitch sequencing under new time pressure.

Tempo and Rhythm

The most obvious change in deGrom’s game since 2023 is his pace. Where he once paused to collect himself after a big strikeout or a base hit, he now has to deliver the next pitch within the timer window, often catching the ball from the catcher and immediately toeing the rubber. This forced tempo has had a paradoxical effect: it seems to deepen his focus. Without the luxury of a long breath, deGrom relies on the muscle memory built over thousands of throws. His delivery remains smooth, his arm slot consistent. The pitch clock has not rushed his mechanics, just the mental gap between pitches.

Several beat writers covering the Texas Rangers (deGrom’s team after 2022) noted that he rarely violates the pitch clock — he’s usually pitching with three or four seconds to spare. He’s learned to start his delivery as soon as he sees the sign, trusting that the catcher will be set. This fluidity has helped him maintain a high first-pitch strike rate, a crucial factor in his dominance pre- and post-rule change. According to Baseball-Reference data, deGrom’s first-pitch strike percentage remained above 65% in the first full season under the new rules, a testament to how quickly he integrated the clock into his routine.

Defending the Running Game: New Pickoff and Slide Step Adjustments

DeGrom’s pickoff strategy underwent a nuanced shift. Before the limit, he would occasionally throw over to first base once or twice to keep a runner honest, then focus on delivering quickly to the plate. Now, he cannot afford to waste pickoffs. He’s become more aggressive in his slide step — a quicker, more compact delivery that shaves critical tenths of a second off his time to home plate. In 2023, his average time to home (with a runner on first) dropped by about 0.2 seconds compared to 2022, a sign that he prioritizes keeping the ball in the catcher’s hand as fast as possible.

He also uses a balk: the threat of a balk if he flinches. Instead of throwing over, deGrom gives a quick look, holds the ball a moment, then delivers. This cat-and-mouse game has actually increased the effectiveness of his slide step; runners cannot easily determine when he’ll break toward home. The result is that stolen bases against deGrom did not spike as many feared. In fact, his stolen-base rate allowed in 2023 was nearly identical to his career average, despite the league-wide increase in steals. This aligns with an exclusive interview with The Players’ Tribune where deGrom said he had to “think one step ahead” of every base runner.

Pitch Sequencing Under Time Pressure

The pitch clock also influences pitch selection. With less time to confer with the catcher, deGrom leans heavily on his pre-game plan. He works almost on autopilot: fastball away, slider down, changeup in — dictated by the scouting report and the count. He has cut down on shaking off signs, trusting the catcher’s instincts. This has led to a more aggressive approach early in counts, as deGrom targets the zone with his fastball more often on 0-0 and 1-0, trying to get ahead quickly rather than nibbling at corners. The risk of a long at-bat with many foul balls is reduced, saving his arm for later innings. However, it also means he occasionally catches too much of the plate, leading to a slight uptick in hard-hit balls in certain outings. But overall, the net effect has been positive: deGrom’s strikeout-to-walk ratio remains elite, hovering around 5.5 in the seasons following the rule changes.

The Pros and Cons for deGrom

The rule changes present a mixed bag for even the most adaptable pitcher. Below is a closer examination of the advantages and challenges deGrom has encountered.

Advantages: Efficiency and Momentum

The most frequently cited benefit for deGrom has been increased efficiency. Working faster reduces the time between pitches, which helps him maintain a rhythm and avoid the mental clutter that often leads to walks. In postgame interviews, he mentioned that the clock “keeps me from overthinking.” This efficiency also translates into less fatigue: shorter innings (because the pace forces batters to be ready) and fewer total pitches per start. In 2023, deGrom averaged about three fewer pitches per inning than he did in 2021, even though he struck out at a similar rate. The reduced workload could have long-term health benefits for a pitcher with a history of arm issues.

Another advantage: the pitch clock creates momentum. When deGrom gets a quick out, the pressure shifts to the batter to catch up to his pace. Hitters have complained that the fast tempo doesn’t give them time to recalculate between pitches. For a power pitcher like deGrom, this is golden. He can rattle off three fastballs in a row, each one 99 mph, before the batter finds a comfortable stance. The lack of dead time works in his favor, especially with two strikes.

Challenges: The Threat of Stolen Bases and Loss of Disruption

The primary challenge deGrom faces under the new rules is the increased threat of stolen bases. With only two pickoff attempts allowed per plate appearance, runners can take a more aggressive lead. If a runner like Ronald Acuña Jr. reaches base, deGrom must deliver a pitch in a predictable window or risk the base instantly. While his slide step has improved, he’s still not as quick to the plate as some left-handers. The league-wide stolen base total jumped 40% in 2023, and deGrom was not immune. He gave up more steals in a season than he had in any previous full season, though most of those came with two outs and were not run-scoring.

Another subtle loss is the ability to disrupt a batter’s timing. Previously, deGrom could step off the rubber, take a deep breath, and then deliver a breaking ball after a prolonged pause. That element of surprise is gone. The batter now has a consistent 15-second window to anticipate the pitch. To compensate, deGrom has focused on varying his pitch location within the strike zone more dramatically — painting the edges instead of relying on tempo shifts.

Broader Implications for the Game and Pitching Strategy

deGrom’s adaptation is not unique. Other elite pitchers like Max Scherzer and Gerrit Cole also modified their routines. Scherzer, famously deliberate, had to hasten his pre-pitch stare and step-off habits. Cole shortened his between-pitch meander behind the mound. But deGrom’s case is especially instructive because his success hinges on relentless perfection. The rule changes forced him to trade some control over the environment for a faster pace, and he emerged with essentially the same results — an ERA well under 3.00 and a strikeout rate over 12 per nine innings.

This suggests that elite pitchers can succeed regardless of rule changes if they are mentally flexible. The new rules have not diminished the value of pitching; they have merely changed the speed of the chess game. deGrom’s ability to think faster, throw faster, and adapt his pickoff mechanics underscores a broader trend in baseball: the premium on quick decision-making and pre-game preparation. As MLB considers further tweaks — such as a possible ban on the shift in pitching or an automated strike zone — pitchers will continue to evolve. deGrom, now in his late 30s, may not be the face of that evolution much longer, but his 2023–2024 seasons proved that even the most established superstar can bend without breaking.

Conclusion

MLB’s rule changes have forced a generational adaptation on the mound, and Jacob deGrom has responded by sharpening the very skills that made him great: rhythm, command, and mental toughness. The pitch clock has not diminished his dominance; it has refined it. The pickoff limits have made him more clever against runners. The reduced mound visits have increased his reliance on pre-game planning. Whether these changes will extend his career or shorten it remains to be seen, but for now, deGrom stands as a model of adaptability in a sport that values tradition but demands progress. As he continues to pitch, he will likely stay one step ahead of the rules — just as he has always stayed one step ahead of hitters.