Jacob deGrom Bio
Jacob Anthony deGrom is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his MLB career with the New York Mets in 2014 and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. DeGrom has won two National League Cy Young Awards and has been selected as an MLB All-Star five times. Known for his exceptional control and overpowering stuff, he has compiled remarkable career statistics including a 2.63 earned run average and 1,957 career strikeouts through June 2026.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Anthony deGrom was born on June 19, 1988, in DeLand, Florida. He attended Calvary Christian Academy in Ormond Beach, Florida, where he excelled in both baseball and basketball. As a basketball player, he was named District 9 Class 1A Player of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and earned third-team all-state honors in Class 1A. His baseball prowess earned him second-team All-Florida recognition from the Florida Sports Writers Association as a senior. He also played American Legion Baseball, where coaches from Stetson University first noticed his talents.
DeGrom was raised by his parents, Tony deGrom, an AT&T lineman, and Tammy deGrom, a customer service representative. His father built a batting cage in their backyard and maintained demanding catching sessions with young Jacob. DeGrom credits his father for instilling his quiet intensity and teaching him to stay humble. He has two sisters, Sarah and Jessica. Growing up, he was an Atlanta Braves fan.
Path to Professional Baseball
After not being drafted out of high school, deGrom enrolled at Stetson University where he played for the Stetson Hatters baseball team. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he served exclusively as a shortstop. Though regarded as a good fielder with a strong throwing arm, deGrom was a light hitter with a career .263 batting average. He made his first pitching appearance in May 2009 during his junior year, signaling a pivotal career shift.
During the summer of 2009, deGrom pitched for the DeLand Suns of the Florida Collegiate Summer League, recording six strikeouts across 6.1 innings without allowing an earned run. Upon returning to Stetson that fall, the team began using him as a relief pitcher and eventually as their closer. His exceptional performance moved him into the starting rotation midway through the season, where he developed a fastball, changeup, and slider. Major league scouts took notice when he pitched against Chris Sale of Florida Gulf Coast University, including hitting his only home run of the season against Sale.
Jacob deGrom Career
New York Mets (2014–2022)
The New York Mets selected deGrom in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft with the 272nd overall selection, signing him to a $95,000 signing bonus. He was assigned to the Kingsport Mets in the Appalachian League but was diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. After attempting rehabilitation for four months, he underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season while recovering. During rehabilitation, he worked on his changeup with former Mets pitcher Johan Santana.
DeGrom advanced through the minor leagues, pitching for the Savannah Sand Gnats and St. Lucie Mets in 2012, where he posted a 2.43 ERA in 19 starts. He reached Triple-A Las Vegas 51s in 2013 before the Mets added him to their 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. During the offseason, he improved his mechanics and learned to throw a curveball.
MLB Breakthrough and Early Success (2014–2017)
DeGrom made his major league debut on May 15, 2014, against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one run and striking out six batters, while also collecting his first major league hit in his first career at-bat. That hit ended the Mets’ pitching staff’s 0-for-64 hitless streak, the worst in major league history. He compiled four quality starts in his first four major league appearances. On July 8, he recorded 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings to help the Mets achieve their 4,000th franchise victory. He was named National League Rookie of the Month twice (July and September) and won the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first Met to earn the honor since Dwight Gooden in 1984.
In 2015, deGrom continued his strong play and was named to his first All-Star Game. During the All-Star Game, he struck out the three batters he faced on ten pitches, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat since pitch counts were recorded. He started Game 1 of the NL Division Series and tied a Mets franchise postseason record with 13 strikeouts. He won the deciding Game 5 and helped pitch the Mets to their first NL Championship Series appearance since 2000. Following the season, he received a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award.
DeGrom pitched a shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 17, 2016, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out seven batters. He underwent season-ending surgery on his ulnar nerve in late September to relieve discomfort that had plagued him during the season. In 2017, he hit his first major league home run on June 18 against the Washington Nationals and recorded wins in eight consecutive starts from June 12 until July 24, tying a franchise record. He finished the season 15–10 with a 3.53 ERA and was the only Mets starting pitcher to avoid the injured list all season.
Cy Young Seasons (2018–2019)
The 2018 season marked deGrom’s arrival as one of baseball’s elite pitchers. He was named to the All-Star Game while leading the majors with a 1.68 ERA at the time of selection. On September 3, he tied a major league record with his 25th consecutive start allowing three or fewer runs. He recorded his 1,000th career strikeout on September 26 and finished the season 10–9 with a 1.70 ERA, the third-lowest of any pitcher with 30 starts since the mound was lowered following the 1968 season. He won his first NL Cy Young Award, receiving all but one first-place vote, despite having the fewest wins ever by a Cy Young-winning starting pitcher.
During spring training 2019, deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension with an option for 2024. He started on Opening Day against Max Scherzer and set a career-high with 14 strikeouts on April 3. After beginning the first half with a 4–7 record, he was named to his third All-Star Game. He then posted a remarkable second half with a 7–1 record and 1.44 ERA, finishing the season with 255 strikeouts over 204 innings and a 0.97 WHIP. He won his second consecutive Cy Young Award in near-unanimous fashion, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes, becoming the 11th pitcher in history to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards.
Rangers Era (2023–Present)
Following the 2022 season, deGrom opted out of his contract and signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers on December 2, 2022. He made six starts in March and April 2023, posting a 2.67 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 30.1 innings. However, on June 6, 2023, the Rangers announced he would require Tommy John surgery after suffering a torn UCL in his right elbow. Despite his absence, the Rangers went on to win the 2023 World Series.
DeGrom returned from Tommy John surgery on September 13, 2024, making his first major league start in 504 days against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 3.2 innings, struck out four, and allowed no runs on 61 pitches. Across three starts in 2024, he recorded a 1.69 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.
2025 Season Performance
On May 4, 2025, deGrom pitched his 1,700th career strikeout, becoming the fastest pitcher to reach that milestone since at least 1901, accomplishing it in 225 games. On July 6, he was named to the All-Star Game roster, his fifth career selection, with his 2.13 ERA and 0.89 WHIP ranking among the league leaders. On August 3 against the Mariners, he logged his 1,800th career strikeout, becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach that milestone in 240 games and 1,493.1 innings. On September 24, he earned his 30th start with a sub-3.00 ERA, becoming the eighth pitcher in Rangers history to accomplish that feat. Overall in 2025, he posted a 12–8 record with a 2.97 ERA, 185 strikeouts, and 37 walks across 172.2 innings, earning AL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeGrom is renowned for his exceptional control and ability to generate swings and misses with his high-velocity fastball and sharp-breaking secondary pitches. His strikeout prowess has led the National League twice, and his career WHIP of 0.99 ranks as the lowest in baseball history among starting pitchers in the live-ball era with at least 1,000 innings pitched. His work ethic and mechanical consistency have allowed him to maintain dominance despite various injuries throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
DeGrom holds the distinction of being the fastest pitcher in baseball history to reach both 1,700 and 1,800 career strikeouts. In 2021, he posted a 1.08 ERA through 12 starts, the lowest ever recorded through that point of a season. He broke Jim Scott’s 1914 record for consecutive starts allowing three or fewer earned runs in September 2022. In June 2026, he earned his 100th career win, reaching the milestone in dominant fashion against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jacob deGrom Career Wins
Through the 2025 season, deGrom has compiled 102 career wins across 11 MLB seasons with the Mets and Rangers. His career statistics include a 2.63 ERA, 1,957 strikeouts, and a 0.99 WHIP, placing him among the most accomplished pitchers in baseball history.
Major Achievements
DeGrom won his first career game on May 24, 2014, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, though his debut season featured numerous quality starts without wins due to poor run support. His first true breakout came in 2015 when he went 14–8 with a 2.54 ERA and helped lead the Mets to the postseason. The 2018 and 2019 seasons represent his peak performance, combining for a 24–16 record with a 2.05 ERA and 429 strikeouts while capturing back-to-back Cy Young Awards. His 2021 season, limited to 15 starts due to injury, saw him go 7–2 with a remarkable 1.08 ERA and 146 strikeouts.
Awards and Honors
DeGrom’s accolades include two National League Cy Young Awards (2018, 2019), five MLB All-Star selections (2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2025), the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Award, and the 2025 AL Comeback Player of the Year. He has been named to the All-MLB First Team twice (2019, 2020) and led the National League in ERA (2018) and strikeouts (2019, 2020). His career WHIP of 0.99 is the lowest in live-ball era history among qualified starting pitchers.
Jacob deGrom Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
DeGrom comes from a family without a baseball background. His father, Tony deGrom, worked as an AT&T lineman and built a batting cage in the backyard specifically for his son to practice. Despite having no formal coaching experience, Tony deGrom conducted rigorous catching sessions with young Jacob and emphasized humility and hard work. This informal training laid the foundation for deGrom’s development as a pitcher, with his father playing a crucial role in his early career.
Personal Life
DeGrom married Stacey deGrom in November 2014, shortly after his rookie MLB season. The couple lives in DeLand, Florida, where they have raised three children: a son born in April 2016, a daughter born in February 2018, and a son born in 2023. They also own a Morkie, a mixed breed combining Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier. During his time at Stetson University, deGrom began growing his hair long, which spawned the social media hashtag “#hairwego” and inspired a promotional giveaway at Citi Field. He eventually cut his hair during the 2017–2018 offseason, citing potential speed benefits to his fastball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a triumphant return to form for deGrom after missing most of 2023 to Tommy John surgery and making a limited comeback in 2024. He returned to his elite level, earning his fifth All-Star selection while ranking among the league leaders in ERA and WHIP. His strikeout milestones of 1,700 and 1,800 career Ks came at record speed, demonstrating his sustained dominance. The Rangers’ rotation benefited from having a fully healthy deGrom for an entire season, and his performance helped position the team for another playoff run. After the season concluded, he was recognized as the American League Comeback Player of the Year, validating his resilience following major elbow surgery.