Jacob deGrom Bio
Jacob Anthony deGrom, born on June 19, 1988, in DeLand, Florida, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously spent his career with the New York Mets, where he developed into one of the most dominant starting pitchers of his era. A two-time National League Cy Young Award winner and five-time MLB All-Star, deGrom is widely recognized for his elite strikeout ability and exceptional command on the mound. In addition to his pitching accolades, he set numerous franchise and league records during his time in New York before signing a major free-agent contract with the Rangers.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Anthony deGrom was born on June 19, 1988, in DeLand, Florida, and grew up in nearby DeLeon Springs. He was raised by his parents, Tony, an AT&T lineman, and Tammy, a customer service representative for a credit card rewards program. Tony deGrom built a batting cage in the backyard and demanded serious catch sessions, helping instill the quiet intensity that has defined his son’s career. Jacob deGrom is one of three children, with two sisters named Sarah and Jessica. He grew up an Atlanta Braves fan and developed his early love for baseball in this small Florida community.
DeGrom attended Calvary Christian Academy, a small school in Ormond Beach, Florida, where he played both baseball and basketball. On the basketball court, he was voted the District 9 Class 1A player of the year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and was selected to the all-state third team for Class 1A. As a senior baseball player, the Florida Sports Writers Association named him to the All-Florida second team. He also played American Legion Baseball, where he caught the eye of the coaching staff at Stetson University.
Path to Major League Baseball
After going undrafted out of high school, Jacob deGrom enrolled at Stetson University, where he initially played shortstop during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Although he was regarded as a good fielder with a strong throwing arm, he was a light hitter with a career .263 batting average. During the summer of 2009, he pitched collegiate summer baseball for the DeLand Suns of the Florida Collegiate Summer League, allowing zero earned runs across 6.1 innings in his first five appearances.
When deGrom returned to Stetson for his junior year, the coaching staff began using him as a relief pitcher in addition to playing shortstop. He quickly became one of the Hatters’ best pitchers, prompting the team to move him into the starting rotation midway through the season. During this stretch, he developed a fastball, changeup, and slider, drawing the attention of major league scouts. A pivotal moment came when he pitched against Chris Sale of Florida Gulf Coast University and hit his only home run of the season against the future star.
Jacob deGrom Career
Draft and Minor League Development (2010–2013)
The New York Mets selected Jacob deGrom in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB draft with the 272nd overall pick, signing him for a $95,000 bonus. He was assigned to the Kingsport Mets of the rookie-level Appalachian League, but his first professional season was cut short by a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. He attempted rehabilitation for four months before undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2010, causing him to miss the entire 2011 season. During his recovery, deGrom worked on his changeup alongside Mets ace Johan Santana.
In 2012, 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, finishing with a 2.43 ERA in 19 starts. The following season, he was promoted to the Binghamton Mets of the Class AA Eastern League and later to the Las Vegas 51s of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. The Mets added deGrom to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2013, to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and he began the 2014 season with a 4-0 record and a 2.58 ERA in Las Vegas.
New York Mets Breakthrough (2014–2017)
The Mets promoted Jacob deGrom to the major leagues on May 12, 2014, and he made his MLB debut three days later against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. He pitched seven innings, allowing one run and striking out six, while also collecting his first major league hit. He went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year award, receiving first-place votes on 26 of 30 ballots and becoming the first Met to earn the honor since Dwight Gooden in 1984. He was named NL Rookie of the Month twice during the season and struck out his first eight batters faced in a start against the Miami Marlins on September 15, tying a major league record.
In 2015, deGrom was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game, where he struck out all three batters he faced on ten pitches, becoming the first player to do so since pitch counts were recorded. He finished the year with a 14-8 record and a 2.54 ERA, then starred in the postseason by allowing no runs in Game 1 of the National League Division Series and striking out 13, tying a Mets postseason record set by Tom Seaver. DeGrom also helped lead the Mets to the 2015 World Series, where they ultimately fell to the Kansas City Royals.
Mets Cy Young Era (2018–2019)
Jacob deGrom reached the peak of his powers in 2018, posting a 1.70 ERA that led the majors and was the third-lowest of any pitcher with 30 starts in a season since the pitching mound was lowered in 1969. He was selected to the All-Star Game for the second time, finished 10-9 despite his run prevention dominance, and won the NL Cy Young Award with all but one first-place vote. His 10 wins were the fewest in history by a Cy Young Award-winning starting pitcher, a testament to his individual brilliance on a team that struggled to score runs for him.
In 2019, deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension with the Mets during spring training. He finished the year with an 11-8 record, a 2.43 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and 255 strikeouts, winning his second consecutive Cy Young Award in near-unanimous fashion with 29 of 30 first-place votes. He became the 11th pitcher in history to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The New York Post named him their New York Athlete of the Decade in December 2019.
Texas Rangers Era (2023–Present)
Following the 2022 season, Jacob deGrom opted out of his contract with the Mets and entered free agency. On December 2, 2022, he signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers. He made six starts for Texas in early 2023, posting a 2.67 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 30.1 innings, before suffering a torn UCL in his right elbow on June 6 that required Tommy John surgery and ended his season. Despite his absence, the Rangers went on to win the 2023 World Series.
DeGrom returned from Tommy John surgery and made his first major league start in 504 days on September 13, 2024, against the Seattle Mariners. Across three starts in 2024, he posted a 1.69 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. In 2025, he was named to his fifth career All-Star Game and finished the season with a 12-8 record, a 2.97 ERA, and 185 strikeouts in 172.2 innings, cementing his return to elite form.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jacob deGrom is widely regarded as one of the most overpowering pitchers of his generation, combining a mid- to upper-90s fastball with a devastating slider, a deceptive changeup, and pinpoint command. His career WHIP and ERA rank among the lowest for any starting pitcher in the live-ball era, reflecting his ability to limit baserunners and avoid hard contact. He pairs physical dominance with a quiet, focused demeanor on the mound, allowing his stuff to speak for itself in high-leverage moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
DeGrom tied a major league record in 2022 with 39 consecutive starts allowing three or fewer earned runs, later breaking the mark set in 1914. He became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,800 career strikeouts in 240 games and 1,493.1 innings, reaching the milestone on August 3, 2025. He also pitched a complete game shutout with 15 strikeouts against the Washington Nationals on April 23, 2021, while setting a Mets franchise record for career ERA in the same game.
Jacob deGrom Career Wins
Jacob deGrom has compiled a remarkable collection of wins, awards, and statistical milestones across his MLB career, including two National League Cy Young Awards, an NL Rookie of the Year honor, and five All-Star selections. His ability to dominate opposing lineups has made him a perennial Cy Young contender and one of the most respected pitchers in the game.
Major League Highlights
DeGrom’s first MLB win came during his rookie season in 2014, when he went on to finish 9-6 with a 2.69 ERA and 144 strikeouts. He later added postseason victories, including a win in the deciding Game 5 of the 2015 National League Division Series. His most recent major win came during the 2025 season, when he finished 12-8 with a 2.97 ERA while anchoring the Texas Rangers rotation.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his major league totals, deGrom posted impressive minor league numbers, including a 2.43 ERA in 19 starts during 2012 between Class A Savannah and Class A-Advanced St. Lucie. He also posted a 4-0 record with a 2.58 ERA in his first seven starts of 2014 at Triple-A Las Vegas, paving the way for his promotion to the Mets.
Jacob deGrom Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jacob deGrom is married to Stacey deGrom, whom he met shortly after graduating from high school. The couple married in November 2014 and have made their home in DeLand, Florida. Together, they have three children: a son born in April 2016, a daughter born in February 2018, and another son born in June 2023. The family also has a Morkie, a mix between a Maltese and a Yorkie.
Family Support and Influence
DeGrom has often credited his father, Tony, with shaping his competitive approach, recalling demanding catch sessions in the backyard of their DeLeon Springs home. His parents, Tony and Tammy, supported his athletic development from a young age and helped him transition from a shortstop into one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers. The family’s steady presence has remained a constant throughout his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the full return of Jacob deGrom as a frontline starter for the Texas Rangers, coming off his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He opened the year strong, with a 2.13 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP that ranked among the league leaders, and was named to his fifth career All-Star Game on July 6. His milestone of becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,800 career strikeouts highlighted a season defined by his signature dominance.
DeGrom finished the 2025 season with a 12-8 record over 30 starts, recording a 2.97 ERA with 185 strikeouts and 37 walks in 172.2 innings. On September 24, he became the eighth pitcher in Rangers history to record 30 or more starts with a sub-3.00 ERA in a season, an accomplishment he had not reached since 2019. His late-season consistency gave the Rangers a reliable ace as they pursued another playoff run.
Looking ahead, deGrom remains under contract with the Rangers through the 2027 season as part of his five-year, $185 million deal signed in December 2022. His continued health and performance will be central to the Rangers’ hopes of contending for another World Series title in the years to come.