Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jacob deGrom

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jacob deGrom made an impact.

Jacob deGrom is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Texas Rangers in MLB. He previously played for the New York Mets. DeGrom is known for his exceptional pitching skills and has achieved significant success throughout his career in MLB.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1901: Lowest Walks Plus Hits Per Inning Pitched Ratio

In 2021, Jacob deGrom had a walks plus hits per inning pitched of 0.51 through 12 starts. Since 1901, no major league pitcher has had a walks plus hits to inning pitched ratio that low during 12 consecutive starts.

1914: Tying Jim Scott's Record

In 2022, Jacob deGrom tied a major league record set in 1914 by Jim Scott of the Chicago White Sox for 39 consecutive starts allowing three or fewer earned runs.

May 2009: First pitching appearance

In May 2009, deGrom made his first appearance as a pitcher for the Hatters.

2010: Signed with the Mets and UCL Tear

In 2010, deGrom was drafted by the New York Mets and signed for a $95,000 bonus. He was later diagnosed with a partial tear of the UCL in his pitching elbow.

2010: Drafted by the Mets

In 2010, the Mets selected deGrom in the ninth round of the MLB draft.

2012: Played for Savannah Sand Gnats and St. Lucie Mets

In 2012, deGrom pitched for the Savannah Sand Gnats and the St. Lucie Mets, ending the year with a 2.43 earned run average.

November 20, 2013: Added to Mets 40-man Roster

On November 20, 2013, the Mets added deGrom to their 40-man roster.

2013: Promotions and Broken Finger

In 2013, deGrom was promoted to the Binghamton Mets and later to the Las Vegas 51s, but had a combined 4.51 earned run average due to a broken finger.

May 12, 2014: Promotion to Major Leagues

On May 12, 2014, deGrom was promoted to the major leagues by the Mets.

May 15, 2014: MLB Debut

On May 15, 2014, deGrom made his major league debut with the New York Mets.

September 15, 2014: Tied Strikeout Record

On September 15, 2014, deGrom tied the major league record by striking out his first eight batters against the Marlins.

2014: Started Season with Las Vegas 51s

In 2014, deGrom started the season with Las Vegas and had a 4-0 record with a 2.58 earned run average.

2015: Postseason Debut

In the 2015 National League Division Series, deGrom started Game 1, allowing no runs and tying a Mets franchise postseason record with 13 strikeouts, and won Game 5. He also started Game 2 of the 2015 World Series on October 28 and took the loss.

2016: Season-ending surgery

deGrom pitched a shutout on July 17 at Citizens Bank Park and underwent season-ending surgery on his ulnar nerve in late September 2016.

June 18, 2017: First Career Home Run

On June 18, 2017, deGrom hit his first career home run at Citi Field against Joe Ross of the Washington Nationals.

2017: Worst stretch since 2017

At the end of the 2022 regular season, Jacob deGrom allowed at least three runs in four straight games, marking his worst stretch since 2017.

2017: Agreed to $4.05 million salary

In 2017, deGrom and the Mets avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a salary of $4.05 million.

2017: Finished Season Without Disabled List Time

In 2017, deGrom was the only Mets starting pitcher to finish the season without spending time on the disabled list. He finished with a 15-10 record and a 3.53 earned run average and finished eighth in voting for the 2017 NL Cy Young Award.

2018: Cy Young Award Winner

In 2018, deGrom finished with a 1.70 earned run average, leading the majors, and was named the National League Cy Young Award winner on November 14. He finished fifth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting.

2018: Placed on Disabled List and All-Star Selection

In 2018, deGrom was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a hyperextended pitching elbow, but was also named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game while owning a league-leading 1.68 earned run average.

2019: Contract Extension and Second Cy Young Award

In 2019, deGrom and the Mets agreed to a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension. He was named to the NL roster in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game and won his second straight Cy Young Award.

2020: Led National League in Strikeouts

In 2020, deGrom led the National League in strikeouts.

April 23, 2021: Record Strikeout Game and Pitcher of the Month

On April 23, 2021, Jacob deGrom set a record for the most strikeouts in the first four starts of a season with 50 in a game against the Washington Nationals. He also pitched a complete game shutout with 15 strikeouts, had 2 hits, and no walks. Additionally, he went 2–4 at the plate with 2 runs and a run batted in. Jacob deGrom lowered his career earned run average to 2.55, setting a franchise record and was named April's National League Pitcher of the Month.

2021: 2021 Season Stats and Silver Slugger Nomination

In 2021, Jacob deGrom posted a 7–2 record in 15 starts with a 1.08 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 92 innings. He was also a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award, but it was won by Max Fried.

July 2022: Rehab Assignment with the St. Lucie Mets

In July 2022, Jacob deGrom began a rehab assignment with the St. Lucie Mets after recovering from a stress reaction in his right scapula. He later progressed to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets after two successful starts.

December 2, 2022: Signing with the Texas Rangers

On December 2, 2022, Jacob deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

2022: 2022 Season Debut and Wild Card Series Game 2

Jacob deGrom made his 2022 season debut for the Mets on August 2 against the Washington Nationals, allowing one run and striking out six in five innings. During the season, he tied a major league record set by Jim Scott in 1914 for consecutive starts allowing three or fewer earned runs, and subsequently broke the record. DeGrom finished the season with a 3.08 earned run average over 11 starts, with 102 strikeouts, and in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, he allowed two runs in six innings with eight strikeouts.

September 13, 2024: First Major League Start After Tommy John Surgery

On September 13, 2024, Jacob deGrom made his first major league start in 504 days after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He pitched 3+2⁄3 innings against the Mariners, striking out four, giving up four hits, and allowing zero runs on 61 pitches.