N.Y. Mets: deGrominator Rising

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SPRING TRAINING 2021

Pitchers & Catchers

Jacob deGrom: An Evolution of Greatness

How time flies ...

Over the last seven seasons, Jacob deGrom has proven himself a scarce breed.  In 2014, a 26-year old Jacob deGrom won Rookie of the Year.  As a 30-year old, he wins the first of back-to-back Cy Young awards.  

Last season, albeit compromised by COVID, he leads the National League for a second straight season in strikeouts with a career-best 13.8 K/9 average.  He also posts a career-low 6.2 H/9 average, while his 2.38 ERA is his second-lowest.  In fact, last year marked the third straight season he posted a BABIP below three, an ERA below 2.50, and a WHiP below one.  

Jacob deGrom turns 33-years old this coming June and is showing no signs of slowing down.  Like any savvy veteran, he's just going about his craft a little differently.

Is he adjusting for age and lost velocity?

Hardly ...

Jacob deGrom's velocity is on the rise, as has been throughout his career.  According to Fangraphs, he entered the league with a 94.5mph fastball.  He has effectively added another mph over the ensuing six years to close out last season with a career-high 99.0mph fastball - an increase of 1.8mph over 2019, a 2.2mph increase over his first Cy Young season, and a 4.5mph increase over his rookie season.  Insofar as application, deGrom last season utilized his fastball at a career-low rate of 44.9% while usage of his slider was up to a career-high 35.6% - it marks a two-year trend wherein, for the first time in his career, deGrom is utilizing his fastball below 50% and his slider above 30%.  Meanwhile, his curveball has served as the sacrificial pitch, plummeting from a career-high 10.8% in 2016 to last year's 2.6% career low.  His change-up rate is steady over the last three seasons, but otherwise up from his first four seasons.  Add in deception and a consistently perfect release point, and batters are swinging at the most offerings in deGrom's career but making contact at an all-time low.

Repertoire: 

• 2014 - fastball 61.5%; slider 16.5%; curveball 9.9%; change-up 12.1%.
• 2020 - fastball 44.9%; slider 35.6%; curveball 2.6%; change-up 16.9%.

I anxiously await the opportunity to once again witness his pitching mastery.