History of Jacob deGrom in Timeline

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.

1968: Lowering of the pitching mound

The pitching mound was lowered in 1968.

1973: Tom Seaver's Strikeout Record

Tom Seaver set a Mets franchise postseason record with 13 strikeouts in Game 1 of the 1973 National League Championship Series.

1984: Gooden Rookie of the Year

In 1984, Dwight Gooden received the Rookie of the Year award.

June 19, 1988: Jacob deGrom's Birth

On June 19, 1988, Jacob Anthony deGrom, a professional baseball pitcher, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Mets last World Series appearance

The Mets' last World Series appearance was in the 2000 Subway Series.

2008: Pérez Steals a Base

Óliver Pérez stole a base in 2008, before deGrom stole a base in 2017, breaking the Mets pitcher's stolen base drought.

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.

2011: Tommy John Surgery

In October 2010, deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL and did not pitch in 2011 while recovering.

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.

November 2014: Marriage to Stacey

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

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.

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

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

2015: MLB All-Star Selection

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

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.

April 2016: Birth of Son

In April 2016, Jacob deGrom and his wife Stacey had a son.

2016: Jacob deGrom Hair Hat Giveaway

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

2016: Contract Dispute

In 2016, deGrom initially refused to sign his contract for $607,000 but later accepted it.

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: Haircut Considerations

In 2017, after hearing that a major league hitter said Jacob deGrom's hair made it harder to pick up the ball, deGrom initially stated that he would never cut his hair.

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.

2017: Scherzer Cy Young Award

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

February 2018: Birth of Daughter

In February 2018, Jacob deGrom and his wife Stacey had their second child, a daughter.

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.

2018: Scherzer Runner-up for Cy Young Award

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

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 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.

2019: Second Cy Young Award

In 2019, deGrom won the Cy Young Award for the second year in a row and led the NL in strikeouts.

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: Injury and Placement on Injured List

In 2021, Jacob deGrom felt tightness in his forearm during a bullpen session, which led to the Mets placing him on the 10-day injured list. Later in 2021, he also experienced soreness in his elbow and an MRI revealed inflammation, though no structural damage. He was eventually transferred to the 60-day IL and did not pitch for the remainder of the 2021 season.

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.

2021: MLB All-Star Selection

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

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.

June 6, 2023: Tommy John Surgery Announcement

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

2023: Rangers Win World Series

With Jacob deGrom sidelined for the remainder of the 2023 season due to injury, the Rangers went on to win the 2023 World Series.

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.