History of Jacob deGrom in Timeline

Jacob deGrom is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Texas Rangers in MLB. He previously played for the New York Mets. Known for his exceptional pitching abilities and dominant performances, deGrom has established himself as one of the premier pitchers in baseball. His career is marked by high velocity fastball, devastating slider, and overall command. He has won multiple Cy Young Awards, solidifying his place among the elite pitchers in the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1901: Fastest pitcher since 1901

Jacob deGrom was the fastest pitcher to reach 1,700 strikeouts since 1901, achieving the milestone on May 4, 2025.

1901: Lowest walks plus hits per inning pitched ratio

Since 1901, no major league pitcher had a walks plus hits to inning pitched ratio as low as deGrom's 0.51 during 12 consecutive starts in 2021.

1914: Tying a Major League Record

On September 13, 2022, deGrom's start against the Cubs marked his 39th consecutive start allowing three or fewer earned runs, tying a major league record set by Jim Scott of the Chicago White Sox in 1914.

1968: Third-Lowest ERA Since Mound Lowered

In 2018, deGrom had the third-lowest ERA of any pitcher with 30 starts in a season since the pitching mound was lowered following the 1968 season.

1973: Tied Mets Postseason Record

In 2015, deGrom tied a Mets franchise postseason record with 13 strikeouts, previously set by Tom Seaver in 1973.

1984: First Met Since Dwight Gooden to Receive Honor

In 2014, deGrom was the first Met since Dwight Gooden in 1984 to receive the Rookie of the Year honor.

June 19, 1988: Jacob deGrom's Birth

On June 19, 1988, Jacob Anthony deGrom was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Mets near first World Series appearance since 2000

In 2015, deGrom pitched in Game 3 of the NLCS, putting the Mets within one game of their first World Series appearance since 2000.

2008: First Stolen Base

In 2017, deGrom had the first stolen base of his career, becoming the first Mets pitcher to steal a base since Óliver Pérez in 2008.

May 2009: First appearance as a pitcher

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

2010: Selected in the MLB draft

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

2010: Drafted by the New York Mets

In 2010, the New York Mets selected deGrom in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft and he signed with the Mets. He was then diagnosed with a partial UCL tear.

2011: Tommy John Surgery

In 2011, deGrom did not pitch due to recovery from Tommy John surgery to repair his UCL. He worked on his changeup with Johan Santana.

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

In 2012, deGrom pitched for the Savannah Sand Gnats and the St. Lucie Mets, finishing the year with a 2.43 ERA.

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

On November 20, 2013, the Mets added deGrom to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

2013: Promotions to Binghamton and Las Vegas

In 2013, deGrom was promoted to the Binghamton Mets and then to the Las Vegas 51s.

May 12, 2014: Promotion to Major Leagues

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

May 15, 2014: MLB Debut

On May 15, 2014, Jacob deGrom made his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Mets.

November 2014: Marriage to Stacey

In November 2014, Jacob deGrom married his wife, Stacey.

2014: Improved Mechanics and Learned Curveball

During the offseason and beginning of the 2014 season, deGrom improved his mechanics, learned to throw a curveball, and had a 4-0 record with a 2.58 ERA in his first seven games.

2014: Rookie of the Year

In 2014, deGrom was named the 2014 Sporting News Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

June 7, 2015: NL Co-Player of the Week

On June 7, 2015, deGrom and Clayton Kershaw were selected as NL Co-Players of the Week.

2015: Postseason success

In 2015, deGrom started Game 1 of the National League Division Series, Game 5, and Game 3 of the NLCS and started Game 2 of the World Series.

2015: MLB All-Star Selection

In 2015, deGrom was selected as an MLB All-Star.

April 2016: Birth of First Child

In April 2016, Jacob and Stacey deGrom welcomed their first child, a son.

2016: Contract Disagreement

In 2016, deGrom initially refused to sign the contract for the $607,000 salary assigned to him but later relented.

2016: Ulnar Nerve Surgery

In 2016, deGrom underwent season-ending surgery on his ulnar nerve to relieve discomfort in his elbow and numbness in his fingers.

2016: Jacob deGrom Hair Hat Giveaway

In 2016, deGrom's hair inspired a promotional "Jacob deGrom Hair Hat" giveaway at Citi Field.

June 18, 2017: First Major League Home Run

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

2017: DeGrom decided to cut his hair

During the 2017-2018 offseason, DeGrom decided to cut his hair for speed and because he was tired of having long hair.

2017: Agreed to $4.05 million salary

In 2017, deGrom and the Mets agreed to a salary of $4.05 million, avoiding an arbitration hearing.

2017: Finished Season Without Disabled List

In 2017, deGrom finished the season without spending time on the disabled list, being the only one of the seven potential starting pitchers for the Mets to do so.

2017: Opening Day Start Against Cy Young Winner

In 2019, deGrom started for the Mets on Opening Day against Max Scherzer, the 2018 Cy Young Award runner-up and the 2017 Cy Young Award winner.

2017: Worst Stretch Since 2017

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

February 2018: Birth of Daughter

In February 2018, Jacob and Stacey deGrom had a daughter.

2018: Placed on 10-day disabled list

In 2018, deGrom was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a hyperextended pitching elbow.

2018: Cy Young Award Winner

In 2018, deGrom won the Cy Young Award and led the National League in earned run average.

December 2019: New York Athlete of the Decade

In December 2019, the New York Post named deGrom their New York Athlete of the Decade.

2019: Contract Extension

In 2019, deGrom and the Mets agreed to a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension with an option for the 2024 season.

2019: Second Cy Young Award

In 2019, deGrom won his second consecutive Cy Young Award and led the National League in strikeouts.

2020: Led National League in Strikeouts

In 2020, deGrom led the National League in strikeouts.

April 23, 2021: Career-High Strikeouts

On April 23, 2021, deGrom set a record for most strikeouts in the first four starts of a season with 50 and pitched a complete game shutout with a career-high 15 strikeouts.

2021: 2021 Season Stats

In 2021, deGrom had a 7–2 record in 15 starts, with a 1.08 ERA, 146 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 92 innings. He was also a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award.

2021: 2021 MLB All-Star Game Nomination

In 2021, deGrom was named to the MLB All-Star Game, marking his fourth career nomination, although he announced he would not participate.

2021: MLB All-Star Selection

In 2021, deGrom was selected as an MLB All-Star.

2021: Injury and Placement on Injured List

On July 18, 2021, Jacob deGrom experienced tightness in his forearm during a bullpen session and was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Mets. Later, he felt soreness in his elbow, and an MRI revealed inflammation, leading to his transfer to the 60-day IL on August 20. He did not pitch for the rest of the 2021 season.

July 2022: Rehab Assignment with St. Lucie Mets

In July 2022, deGrom began a rehab assignment with the St. Lucie Mets, following a stress reaction in his right scapula. After two successful starts, he progressed to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets.

August 2, 2022: 2022 Season Debut

On August 2, 2022, deGrom made his 2022 season debut for the Mets against the Washington Nationals, allowing one run and striking out six in five innings.

December 2, 2022: Signing with the Texas Rangers

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

June 6, 2023: Tommy John Surgery Announcement

On June 6, 2023, the Rangers announced that deGrom would require Tommy John surgery after suffering a torn UCL in his right elbow.

June 2023: Birth of Third Child

In June 2023, Jacob and Stacey deGrom welcomed their third child, another son.

September 13, 2024: First Major League Start After Surgery

On September 13, 2024, deGrom made his first major league start in 504 days after Tommy John surgery, pitching against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 3+2⁄3 innings, struck out four, gave up four hits, and allowed zero runs on 61 pitches.

2024: Career Stats

As of the end of the 2024 season, deGrom has the lowest career WHIP and the second lowest earned run average of any starting pitcher in the live-ball era (min. 1000 IP).

May 4, 2025: 1,700th Career Strikeout

On May 4, 2025, Jacob deGrom pitched his 1,700th career strikeout in his 225th game. It was the fastest a pitcher has reached this milestone since 1901.