The shortstop who became the most dominant force in modern pitching
In short: In 2009, Jacob deGrom refused to play summer baseball unless he could remain a shortstop. Today, he stands as one of the most statistically dominant pitchers of the live-ball era, possessing a career ERA that ranks second only to a handful of legends.
Jacob deGrom’s ascent from a collegiate shortstop at Stetson University to a Major League icon is a study in rapid evolution. During his junior year, he transitioned from the infield to the mound, a move that eventually led to him being drafted in the ninth round by the New York Mets in 2010. His early professional years were marked by significant physical hurdles, including Tommy John surgery in October 2010 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
Despite these setbacks, deGrom’s dominance became undeniable. He achieved the rare feat of winning back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. His 2018 season was particularly historic; despite recording only 10 wins—the fewest ever for a Cy Young-winning starter—he led the majors with a 1.70 ERA and a remarkably low 0.41 home runs per nine innings. By 2019, he secured his second trophy, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes.
The statistical footprint deGrom left in New York is profound. As of the 2026 season, he holds the lowest career WHIP of any starting pitcher in the live-ball era with at least 1,000 innings pitched. His ability to suppress contact was evidenced in 2021, when he achieved a 0.56 ERA through his first ten starts and reached 100 strikeouts in just 61.2 innings—the fastest such feat since the pitching mound was moved to its current distance in 1893. From a versatile infielder to a perennial All-Star, deGrom redefined the ceiling for modern pitching efficiency.
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