Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom

deGrom with the Mets in 2016
New York Mets – No. 48
Starting pitcher
Born: (1988-06-19) June 19, 1988
DeLand, Florida
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 15, 2014, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through August 10, 2017)
Win–loss record 43–27
Earned run average 2.85
Strikeouts 671
WHIP 1.11
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), nicknamed The deGrominator, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attended Stetson University and played college baseball for the Stetson Hatters.

DeGrom began playing baseball as a shortstop and was converted into a pitcher during his junior year at Stetson. The Mets selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, and he made his MLB debut with the Mets on May 15, 2014. That year, deGrom was named the National League's (NL) Rookie of the Month twice, and the NL Rookie of the Year. In 2015, deGrom was selected as an MLB All-Star.

Amateur career

DeGrom attended Calvary Christian Academy in Ormond Beach, Florida, where he played for the school's baseball and basketball teams.[1] As a senior, the Florida Sports Writers Association named deGrom to the All-Florida second team.[2] He also played American Legion baseball, where he was noticed by the coaches for the Stetson Hatters, the college baseball team of Stetson University.[3]

DeGrom was not selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft out of high school.[4] He enrolled at Stetson University and joined their baseball team where he played exclusively as a shortstop during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Though he was considered a good fielder with a strong throwing arm, deGrom was a light hitter, with a career .263 batting average.[3] He made his first appearance as a pitcher in May 2009.[5] In the summer of 2009, between his sophomore and junior years, deGrom received an invitation to play collegiate summer baseball for the DeLand Suns of the Florida Collegiate Summer League, which he declined after discovering that they wanted him to play as a pitcher.[3]

When deGrom returned to Stetson that fall, the team used him as a relief pitcher, filling the role of their closer, in addition to playing shortstop.[3][6] He quickly became one of Stetson's best pitchers, so the team moved deGrom into their starting rotation midway through the season.[6][7] In addition to a fastball, deGrom learned to throw a changeup and a slider.[8] MLB scouts began to take notice of deGrom when he pitched against Chris Sale of Florida Gulf Coast University.[3][6][8] In that game, deGrom hit his only home run of the season.[4] He made 12 starts for the Hatters,[8] pitching to a 4–5 win–loss record with a 4.48 earned run average.[4]

Professional career

DeGrom in spring training in 2014

Minor Leagues

The New York Mets selected deGrom in the ninth round as a pitcher, with the 272nd overall selection, of the 2010 MLB Draft. He signed with the Mets, receiving a $95,000 signing bonus.[9] The Mets assigned deGrom to the Kingsport Mets of the Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he made six starts[6][10] before he was diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow. He attempted to rehabilitate his arm for four months, but underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL in October.[6][11] He did not pitch in 2011 while he recovered from the surgery.[3] While rehabilitating, deGrom worked on his changeup with Johan Santana.[8][10]

DeGrom pitched for the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Class A South Atlantic League and the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in 2012, finishing the year with a 2.43 ERA in 19 games started.[8] In 2013, he began the season with St. Lucie, but was promoted to the Binghamton Mets of the Class AA Eastern League after two starts due to injuries to Binghamton's Luis Mateo and Cory Mazzoni.[7][12] He received a promotion to the Las Vegas 51s of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in June after the Mets promoted Zack Wheeler and Carlos Torres to the major leagues and traded Collin McHugh.[12][13] He had a combined 4.51 ERA for the season, due to a broken finger suffered during the offseason, which altered the way he threw the ball.[8]

The Mets added deGrom to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2013, to protect him from being eligible in the Rule 5 draft.[14] During the offseason, deGrom improved his mechanics, and learned to throw a curveball.[8] He began the 2014 season with Las Vegas, and had a 4–0 win–loss record and a 2.58 ERA in his first seven games started.[8][15]

New York Mets

2014

The Mets promoted deGrom to the major leagues on May 12, 2014, after Gonzalez Germen was placed on the disabled list.[15] The Mets planned to use deGrom in relief, but an injury to Dillon Gee required the Mets to insert him into their starting rotation.[3] DeGrom made his major league debut on May 15 against cross-town rival New York Yankees in Citi Field.[16] He faced fellow rookie Chase Whitley, also making his MLB debut. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one run and striking out six, but the Yankees shut out the Mets and won 1–0. DeGrom also collected his first MLB hit in the game in his first career at bat. It was the first hit by a Mets pitcher in the 2014 season ending an 0-for-64 hitless streak, the worst collective mark by a pitching staff to begin a season in MLB history.[17]

DeGrom compiled four quality starts in his first four MLB starts, but did not record a win in any of them.[18] On July 8, deGrom pitched seven scoreless innings and recorded 11 strikeouts in giving the Mets their 4,000th franchise victory.[19] Along with Steve Cishek of the Miami Marlins, deGrom was named the National League's (NL) Co-Player of the Week for the period of July 21 to July 27 after allowing only one earned run in two starts that week.[20] He was named the NL Rookie of the Month for July.[21] On August 11, deGrom went on the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis. Rafael Montero was called up on August 12 in deGrom's place.[22] On August 23, Montero was re-sent back to the 51s to make room for deGrom coming off the disabled list.[23]

On September 15, 2014, deGrom faced the Marlins and struck out his first eight batters, tying the MLB record.[24] Near the end of the season, deGrom was shut down for the year, ending his season with a 9–6 record, a 2.69 ERA and 144 strikeouts.[25] DeGrom won the 2014 Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year Award[26] and was named the NL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, (the first by a Met since Dwight Gooden in 1984) receiving first place votes on 26 of the 30 ballots.[27]

2015

deGrom and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers were selected as NL Co-Players of the Week for the week ending June 7, 2015.[28] He began the 2015 season with a 8–6 win-loss record and a 2.30 ERA through the end of June, and was named to the NL roster in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.[29] During the All-Star Game, deGrom struck out the three batters he faced on ten pitches, becoming the first person to do so since pitch counts were recorded.[30] DeGrom pitched to a 14–8 record with a 2.54 ERA and a 0.99 walks plus hits per inning pitched ratio during the 2015 season.[31]

deGrom with the Mets in 2015

Starting Game 1 of the 2015 NLDS, he allowed no runs and five hits over seven innings pitched and tied a Mets franchise postseason record with 13 strikeouts (set by Tom Seaver, Game 1 of the 1973 NLCS).[32] DeGrom won the deciding Game 5 with a six-inning, two-run effort.[33] In Game 3 of the 2015 NLCS against the Chicago Cubs, deGrom pitched seven-inning game, allowing just two runs on four hits, one walk and seven strikeouts, putting the Mets ahead 3–0 and within one game of their first World Series appearance since the 2000 Subway Series.[34] DeGrom started Game 2 of the 2015 World Series on October 28; he allowed four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings and took the loss as the Royals went up, 2–0, in the series.[35]

Following the season, deGrom received a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award as the best defensive player statistically at his position in Major League Baseball.[36] He also placed seventh in Cy Young Award voting.[37]

2016

DeGrom initially refused to sign the 2016 contract for the $607,000 salary assigned to him. As a third-year player not yet eligible for arbitration, deGrom was bound by the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement to accept the salary assigned to him by his club. He eventually relented and reluctantly capitulated to signing his contract early in spring training.[38]

On July 17 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, deGrom pitched a complete game shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out seven opposing batters. His game score of 97 was tied for second-best in Mets history in a nine-inning game.[39] DeGrom's final pitching appearance of the season came on September 1, when he faced the Miami Marlins. He underwent season-ending surgery on his ulnar nerve in late September in order to relieve discomfort in his elbow and numbness in his fingers which had plagued him during the 2016 season.[40]

2017

On June 18, 2017 deGrom hit his first career home run at Citi Field against Joe Ross of the Washington Nationals.[41] deGrom was named NL Player of the Week for the week of June 12–18 after hitting his first home run, posting a 0.53 ERA, allowing eight hits, striking out 12 and walking six in 17 innings over two starts.[42]

Personal life

deGrom in August 2015

DeGrom is from DeLeon Springs, Florida.[43] He was raised by his parents, Tony, an AT&T lineman, and Tammy, a customer service representative for a credit card rewards program.[6] Tony built a batting cage in the backyard for his son to practice. He credits his father for his quiet intensity and humility.[44] He has two sisters, Sarah and Jessica.[45]

DeGrom met his wife, Stacey, shortly after high school.[46] They were married in November 2014,[4][47] and live in DeLand, Florida. They have a Morkie,[44] and welcomed their first son, Jaxon, in April 2016.[48]

DeGrom is known for his long hair, which he began to grow out while at Stetson. His starts with the Mets led to the trending hashtag on Twitter of "#hairwego".[49] His hair inspired a promotional "Jacob deGrom Hair Hat" giveaway at Citi Field during the 2016 season.[50] After learning that an unnamed MLB hitter said that deGrom's hair made it harder to pick up the ball out of his hand, deGrom said that he would never cut his hair.[51]

Fans have embraced "The deGrominator" as his nickname. DeGrom is close friends with fellow Mets starting pitchers Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, and Matt Harvey.[52][53]

References

  1. ↑ Ryan, Dan (January 13, 2007). "Lighthouse holds off Calvary". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Class 1A, 2A All-State Baseball". Naples News. June 14, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vorkunov, Mike (May 21, 2014). "Mets rookie starter Jacob deGrom went from light-hitting shortstop to major league pitcher". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Gardner, Sam (November 12, 2014). "Small school Stetson produces AL Cy Young, NL Rookie of the Year". FOX Sports. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  5. ↑ Gilmore, Roger (May 11, 2009). "UCF here for Stetson Hats’ Sr. Night". West Volusia Beacon. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kerber, Fred (August 1, 2014). "How Jacob deGrom went from light-hitting SS to Mets stud pitcher". New York Post. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Driver, David (June 18, 2013). "EL notes: deGrom gets acclimated | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rohan, Tim (May 21, 2014). "A Mets Rookie’s Hair and Profile Grow". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ Altman, Howard (March 25, 2015). "Reigning Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom Makes His Pitch for Greatness". New York Observer. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Dewey, Todd (April 20, 2014). "51s’ deGrom bouncing back from injury that’s literally ‘no bull’ story". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ Vorkunov, Mike (March 23, 2014). "As Tommy John surgery remains vexing issue, Mets' rebuild is guided by approach to preserve young pitchers". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  12. 1 2 Rubin, Adam (July 10, 2014). "Farm report: Ex-fielder deGrom makes pitch". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  13. ↑ Puma, Mike (July 12, 2013). "Jacob deGrom, New York Mets pitcher, turning heads at Triple-A Las Vegas". New York Post. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  14. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (November 20, 2013). "Mets shield former top pick Matz from Rule 5 Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Rubin, Adam (May 12, 2014). "deGrom gets big-league call, too". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  16. ↑ Rumberg, Howie (May 15, 2014). "Stetson product Jacob deGrom has memorable debut in majors". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  17. ↑ Hutchinson, Dave (May 16, 2014). "Mets starter Jacob deGrom impresses in major-league debut". The Star Ledger. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  18. ↑ Simon, Mark (June 5, 2014). "DeGrom showing command, composure". ESPNNewYork.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  19. ↑ Healey, Tim (July 9, 2014). "Mets become 20th club to reach 4,000-win plateau". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Steve Cishek of the Miami Marlins and Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets named the National League Co-Players of the Week". MLB.com. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  21. ↑ Rubin, Adam (August 4, 2014). "deGrom named NL Rookie of Month". ESPN. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Jacob deGrom to DL, Rafael Montero to start Tuesday". SNY. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  23. ↑ Chris McShane (August 23, 2014). "Mets option Rafael Montero to Las Vegas". Amazin' Avenue. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  24. ↑ Rubin, Adam (September 16, 2014). "Jacob deGrom strikes out first 8". ESPN New York.com. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Jacob deGrom of New York Mets will skip final start – ESPN New York". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Sporting News names Mets’ deGrom top rookie". New York Post. October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  27. ↑ "2014 MLB Rookie of the Year – Jacob deGrom of New York Mets named NL winner". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers named National League Co-Players of the Week" (Press release). Major League Baseball. June 8, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  29. ↑ Puma, Mike (July 6, 2015). "Mets’ deGrom gets All-Star nod, but Familia’s fate unknown". New York Post. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  30. ↑ Rubin, Adam (July 14, 2015). "Jacob deGrom strikes out side in All-Star Game". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  31. ↑ Vorkunov, Mike (October 3, 2015). "Mets to start Jacob deGrom in NLDS Game 1 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers". NJ.com. NJ Advance Media. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  32. ↑ Svrluga, Barry (October 10, 2015). "DeGrom, opposite Dodgers’ Kershaw, strikes out 13 in Mets’ Game 1 NLDS win". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  33. ↑ Harris, Beth. "Murphy, Mets beat sleeping Dodgers 3–2 to reach NLCS vs Cubs". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  34. ↑ Tayler, Jon (October 20, 2015). "Murphy, deGrom push Cubs to the brink with NLCS Game 3 win". SI.com. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  35. ↑ "MLB Baseball Box Score - New York vs. Kansas City - Oct 28, 2015 - CBSSports.com". CBSSports.com.
  36. ↑ Vorkunov, Mike (November 11, 2015). "Mets' Jacob deGrom wins Defensive Player of the Year award". NJ.com. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  37. ↑ {{url=http://bbwaa.com/15-nl-cy/}}
  38. ↑ Rohan, Tim (4 March 2016). "Mets’ Jacob deGrom Reluctantly Accepts $607,000 Salary for 2016". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  39. ↑ Giglio, Joe (July 18, 2016). "5 stats summing up Mets' Jacob deGrom's dominance". NJ.com. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  40. ↑ Rubin, Adam (September 20, 2016). "Season over for deGrom as nerve surgery looms". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  41. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (June 18, 2017). "deGrom helps himself, smacks 1st career HR". MLB.com. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  42. ↑ Laymance, Austin (June 19, 2017). "Mets' Jacob deGrom named NL Player of Week". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  43. ↑ Gilmore, Roger (May 24, 2010). "The Stetson Hatters are in!". West Volusia Beacon. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  44. 1 2 "Pair of Aces". Tumblr. New York Mets. May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  45. ↑ Kernan, Sean (June 18, 2014). "Mets pitcher, ex-Stetson star Jacob deGrom going with the flow". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  46. ↑ Serby, Steve (April 11, 2015). "Jacob deGrom on his flowing locks, his honeymoon and the playoffs". New York Post. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  47. ↑ Kernan, Sean (October 5, 2014). "Mets' deGrom returns to the hill for Stetson, 'where it all started'". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  48. ↑ Popper, Daniel (April 13, 2016). "Mets Insider: deGrom, whose son was born, will not go on DL". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  49. ↑ Fleming, Kirsten (August 1, 2015). "You’ll never guess who styles Jacob deGrom’s hair". New York Post. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  50. ↑ Shark, Shannon (6 April 2016). "Mets giving away Jacob deGrom Hair Hats in September". Mets Police. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  51. ↑ Klapisch, Bob (March 2, 2016). "Klapisch: Mets staff has an ace, or three, up its sleeve". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  52. ↑ Kernan, Kevin (2015-02-13). "This ‘hard to catch’ Mets lefty can be their next deGrom". New York Post. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  53. ↑ "DeGrom ‘honored’ by high hopes for staff". Newsday. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
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