The Hidden Edge: How Umpire Strikes and Pitch Framing Fuel Jacob deGrom’s Dominance

When baseball historians compile the list of the most dominant pitchers of the 21st century, Jacob deGrom’s name sits near the very top. His back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019, an absurd 1.70 ERA across 217 innings in 2018, and a career strikeout rate north of 11 per nine innings speak to otherworldly talent. Yet deGrom’s sustained success isn’t solely about a 99 mph fastball that explodes through the zone or a devastating slider that buckles hitters’ knees. It’s also about the subtle, often invisible interactions between the catcher’s glove, the umpire’s call, and the pitcher’s precise location. The combination of umpire strike consistency and elite pitch framing has turned borderline pitches into called strikes, transforming good at-bats into quick outs and keeping deGrom on the mound deeper into games. This article explores how these behind-the-plate dynamics have amplified deGrom’s career, turning a great pitcher into a historically dominant one.

The Umpire’s Strike Zone: A Variable That Shapes Careers

Major League Baseball’s rule book defines the strike zone as the area over home plate between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees when he assumes a natural stance. In practice, that zone varies from umpire to umpire, from inning to inning, and even from count to count. For pitchers like deGrom, whose command is exceptional, that variability can be the difference between a 1-2 count and a 3-1 count. The human element of umpiring introduces a layer of unpredictability that elite batteries learn to exploit.

How Inconsistent Strike Zones Affect Pitchers

Pitchers rely on a predictable zone to sequence pitches effectively. When an umpire expands the zone—calling strikes on pitches an inch off the edge—aggressive pitchers gain an advantage. When the zone shrinks, they must pound the middle of the plate, increasing hard contact. Data from Baseball Savant shows that deGrom consistently ranks in the top percentile for called strike rate on pitches inside the shadow zone, the borderline area along the edges of the plate. A significant portion of those called strikes comes from umpires who respect his reputation and the framing of his catchers.

Research from FanGraphs indicates that a single extra called strike per game can swing a pitcher’s ERA by roughly a quarter of a run. Over a 30-start season, that’s a massive cumulative impact. For deGrom, whose margins are already razor-thin, even a slight tilt in strike calls can turn a quality start into a masterpiece. In 2018, when deGrom posted that 1.70 ERA while receiving just 8.8 runs of support per 27 outs, every called strike mattered immensely.

Umpire Consistency and deGrom’s Rhythm

DeGrom’s delivery is mechanical, repeatable, and low-effort despite elite velocity. He thrives on rhythm. When an umpire gives him the outside corner early in the count, he can expand his arsenal, using the slider or changeup off the plate. Conversely, if the umpire squeezes him, he must elevate fastballs or risk walks. The 2020 season, when deGrom posted a 2.38 ERA despite a shortened 60-game schedule, showed his ability to adapt. Yet his best years—2018 and 2021—coincided with seasons where his catchers ranked near the top in framing runs. In 2021, deGrom’s called strike rate on the first pitch was over 65%, meaning hitters faced an immediate 0-1 count in two out of every three at-bats.

Umpire evaluation has become a talking point in the age of automated strike zones (ABS). While ABS remains in the minor leagues and spring training exhibitions, the human element persists in the majors. Pitchers and catchers who can "steal" strikes on the margins gain a significant competitive advantage. DeGrom, with his pinpoint control and willing catchers, has been a primary beneficiary.

The Art and Science of Pitch Framing

Pitch framing is the catcher’s ability to receive a pitch in a way that makes it look like a strike to the umpire. It involves subtle glove movements—holding the pitch, pulling it back into the zone, or setting up early to minimize movement. Advanced metrics like Called Strikes Above Average (CSAA) and Framing Runs quantify this skill. Since 2016, the New York Mets have employed catchers who consistently rank above average in framing, giving deGrom a built-in advantage.

Measuring Framing: The Numbers Behind the Glove

Statcast tracks every pitch location and umpire call. By comparing the probability of a pitch being called a strike, based on its location, against its actual call, analysts can measure a catcher’s framing contribution. For example, a pitch that lands two inches off the plate but is called a strike might have only a 20% chance of being called a strike with an average catcher. When an elite framer receives that pitch, the called strike rate may jump to 35% or higher. That 15 percentage point difference, accumulated over hundreds of pitches, translates into dozens of extra strikes per season.

According to Baseball Savant, Travis d’Arnaud ranked in the 80th percentile or higher in framing during his time with the Mets from 2014 through 2019. James McCann, who caught deGrom in 2020 and 2021, consistently ranked above average as well. In 2021, McCann posted +4 framing runs, placing him in the top 10 among catchers. That season, deGrom allowed a .123 batting average against on two-strike counts, a career best and among the lowest marks in baseball history for qualified starters.

Techniques: The Mechanics of Stealing Strikes

Elite framing is not random luck. It is a practiced skill that involves several key techniques:

  • Glove positioning: Catchers set up with the glove aimed at the center of the strike zone, then subtly move it into the zone after receiving a borderline pitch. This "stick and pull" technique makes the pitch appear to cross the plate to the umpire, who is tracking the glove rather than the ball itself.
  • Body alignment: By keeping their head still and using minimal movement, catchers prevent umpires from being distracted by unnecessary motion. A quiet glove signals a strike more often than a jerky reception that might suggest the pitcher missed his spot.
  • Pitch location anticipation: Elite framers like McCann and d’Arnaud study deGrom’s tendencies. They know when a slider is intended for the outer edge and set up to frame it without telegraphing the location to the hitter. This preparation allows them to receive the pitch cleanly and present it back to the umpire in the best possible light.
  • Glove angle and wrist stability: Catchers angle the glove so that the pocket faces the umpire, giving the illusion that the pitch arrived in the center of the zone. A stable wrist prevents the glove from bouncing or twisting, which can cause an umpire to doubt a strike call.

DeGrom’s Catchers: Personalities and Performance

Throughout his Mets career, deGrom worked with a revolving door behind the plate, but three catchers stand out for their framing impact: Travis d’Arnaud, James McCann, and later Francisco Alvarez. Each brought a different style, but all shared the ability to convert borderline pitches into called strikes.

Travis d’Arnaud (2014–2019)

D’Arnaud’s framing was a critical asset during deGrom’s early Cy Young campaigns. In 2018, deGrom’s ERA was 1.70, and d’Arnaud’s framing helped convert several borderline fastballs into called strikes on the outer half. Their chemistry was evident in the low walk rate of 1.9 BB/9 and the high strikeout rate of 9.6 K/9. D’Arnaud’s ability to frame deGrom’s changeup low in the zone, often at the knees, added a weapon that fooled hitters and umpires alike. In 2019, when d’Arnaud missed time due to injury, deGrom’s called strike rate dipped slightly, and his ERA rose to 2.43. While other factors were involved, the correlation is telling.

James McCann (2020–2021)

When McCann joined the Mets in 2020, he brought a reputation as one of the game’s best framers. His 2021 season was particularly impressive: McCann ranked in the 90th percentile for strike rate on pitches in the shadow zone. DeGrom’s called strike percentage that year was 19.2%, nearly two full points above the league average of 17.4%. That edge allowed deGrom to pitch deeper into games despite a 1.08 ERA in his first 11 starts before the all-star break. McCann’s framing was especially valuable on deGrom’s slider, a pitch that breaks late and often catches the edge of the zone. When McCann framed that slider effectively, hitters faced called strikes on pitches that would have been balls with an average receiver.

Francisco Alvarez (2022–2023)

Alvarez, a top prospect, showed flashes of elite framing despite being young and still developing behind the plate. His raw numbers in 2023 were average, but his work with deGrom in late 2022, before deGrom’s injury, showed promise. Alvarez’s ability to receive deGrom’s fastball high in the zone was particularly effective, as his quiet glove helped sell those pitches to umpires who might otherwise call them high. With deGrom now pitching for the Texas Rangers, the Mets’ framing advantage has shifted, but the legacy of those years remains a case study in how catcher skill elevates pitcher performance.

Synergy: How Umpire Calls, Framing, and deGrom’s Stuff Work Together

The magic of deGrom’s career isn’t just one factor—it’s the harmony between his elite command, his catchers’ framing, and the umpire’s tendencies. Consider a typical at-bat: deGrom starts with a 96 mph fastball on the inside corner. The umpire calls it a strike. Then he dials up a 99 mph fastball at the knees on the outside edge. The catcher slides his glove a few inches toward the zone, and the umpire rings up the batter. That second pitch, in isolation, might be borderline. But because the catcher framed it well and the umpire was consistent, the pitcher gained a huge advantage.

Case Study: The 2021 No-Hit Bid

On June 1, 2021, deGrom carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Throughout the game, McCann framed multiple pitches on the edges that could have gone either way. According to Sports Illustrated, deGrom threw a season-high 100 pitches, with 74 strikes. Of those strikes, 12 were called strikes on pitches outside the heart of the zone, each one a product of McCann’s framing and the umpire’s strike zone that night. This synergy allowed deGrom to reach deep counts without losing effectiveness, as he recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings.

The Feedback Loop of Reputation

There is also a feedback loop at play. As deGrom built his reputation as an elite pitcher, umpires began giving him more borderline calls. Research from ESPN showed that deGrom’s called strike rate on pitches in the shadow zone was 48% in 2021, compared to the league average of 42%. That 6% advantage translated into roughly 25 extra called strikes over the season, equivalent to about 8 extra strikeouts and a significant reduction in baserunners. Umpires, consciously or not, deferred to deGrom’s command and his catcher’s framing, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.

The Counterargument: Does Framing Matter More for Some Pitchers?

Critics argue that elite pitchers like deGrom generate swings and misses on pitches in the zone, reducing the need for framing. After all, deGrom’s whiff rate on pitches in the zone often exceeds 40%, well above the league average. However, this line of thinking misses the importance of called strikes in building favorable counts. Called strikes increase the pitcher’s count advantage, forcing hitters to expand their zones later in the at-bat. When a hitter falls behind 0-1 or 0-2, they must protect the plate, which often leads to weak contact or swings at pitches outside the zone.

Furthermore, deGrom’s fastball velocity and movement mean that pitches left over the plate can be crushed. Thus, the ability to get called strikes on borderline pitches, rather than challenging hitters in the heart of the zone, is essential to his success. In 2021, deGrom’s hard-hit rate against was 27.1%, well below the league average of 36.5%, partly because he didn’t have to throw many pitches over the plate. The framing advantage allowed him to expand the effective strike zone, keeping hitters off balance and reducing the quality of contact.

Statistical Validation: Framing Runs and deGrom’s ERA

Between 2018 and 2021, deGrom’s ERA by season correlated strongly with his catcher’s framing runs:

  • 2018: d’Arnaud posted +5 framing runs; deGrom’s ERA was 1.70
  • 2019: d’Arnaud posted +3 framing runs; deGrom’s ERA was 2.43
  • 2020: McCann posted +4 framing runs; deGrom’s ERA was 2.38
  • 2021: McCann posted +4 framing runs; deGrom’s ERA was 1.08

The pattern suggests that every extra framing run from his catcher corresponded to a drop of roughly 0.3 to 0.4 ERA points for deGrom. While causation is hard to prove definitively, the correlation is stark. When deGrom had a catcher who could frame at an elite level, his ERA dropped to historic lows. When the framing was merely average, his ERA rose to merely excellent levels.

An analysis by Baseball Savant further supports this. In 2021, deGrom’s expected ERA based on batted ball data was 2.15, nearly a full run higher than his actual ERA of 1.08. That gap of 1.07 runs is among the largest in baseball, and a significant portion can be attributed to the strike advantage gained through framing and umpire consistency. DeGrom was not just getting lucky on batted balls; he was avoiding hard contact altogether by working ahead in counts.

The Evolution of the Strike Zone and deGrom’s Future

As MLB continues to experiment with robot umpires and automated strike zones, the role of framing may diminish. The challenge system currently used in some minor league levels gives catchers limited ability to influence calls, but a full ABS system would eliminate framing entirely. For now, however, the human umpire remains a key variable in the major leagues, and pitchers who can exploit it hold an advantage.

DeGrom, now with the Texas Rangers after signing a five-year, $185 million contract in December 2022, will work with catchers like Jonah Heim, who is also an above-average framer. Heim ranked in the 70th percentile for framing in 2023, posting +3 framing runs. The same principles apply: consistent strike calls and elite framing will continue to give deGrom an edge, even as age and injuries have slightly diminished his velocity. In 2023, deGrom’s fastball averaged 98.5 mph, down from 99.1 in 2021, but his command remained elite. His ability to paint the edges will always be enhanced by a catcher who can steal an extra inch.

The 2024 season saw deGrom return from Tommy John surgery, and while his workload was limited, his stuff was still electric. In his first five starts back, he posted a 2.25 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 20 innings, and Heim’s framing was a factor. Umpires continue to give deGrom the benefit of the doubt on borderline pitches, a testament to his reputation and his catchers’ skill.

Conclusion

Jacob deGrom’s career is a masterclass in pitching, but it’s also a lesson in the invisible skills that surround the game. Umpire strike consistency and pitch framing are not just secondary factors; they are integral components that elevate a great pitcher into a historically dominant one. When deGrom unleashes a 100 mph fastball that just catches the outside corner, it’s not only his arm that makes it a strike. It’s the catcher’s subtle glove movement, the umpire’s acceptance, and years of trust between pitcher and catcher. Understanding these interactions deepens our appreciation for deGrom’s artistry and reminds us that baseball’s margins are as thin as the black on home plate. As the sport evolves toward automation, the era of framing will eventually end, but deGrom’s career stands as a monument to how much it mattered while it lasted.

For those interested in deeper statistical analysis, check out FanGraphs’ guide to pitch framing. For game footage highlighting framing in action, search for deGrom’s 2021 starts on MLB.com. The art of the hidden edge may be disappearing, but its impact on Jacob deGrom’s legacy is already etched into baseball history.