Jacob deGrom, RHP
Player Data: Age: 31, B/T: L/R
Primary Stats: 32 G, 204 IP, 11-8, 2.43 ERA, 19 HR, 44 BB, 255 SO, 0.971 WHIP
Advanced Stats: 167 ERA+, 2.67 FIP, 7.3 WAR
Free Agent: 2024
2019 Salary: $27.5 M
Grade: A+
2019 Review
Did you really expect any other grade for Jacob deGrom? The Mets ace had another Cy Young award-worthy season in 2019, further cementing his status as one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball.
Despite a shaky start to the month of April, in which he suffered three straight losses and allowed a total of 14 ER in 13 IP, deGrom- who revealed that he had been battling a sore elbow in those first few weeks of the season- silenced any concerns with a gradual return to form in May and June.
Over the course of those months, the righty pitched at least 6 innings in 10 out of his 12 starts and lowered his ERA from an uninspiring 4.85 to a more attractive 3.32. DeGrom’s record, however, was not reflective of his efforts- a baffling trend that continued to rear its ugly head in 2019. By the time May and June finally came to a close, the ace was saddled with a 4-7 record.
Fortunes changed a bit for deGrom in July, as he tacked on a couple of wins to his record by going at least seven innings in four of his five starts and allowing just four earned runs in 33 innings- thus knocking his ERA down even further to a stellar 2.78.
August proved to be no different for the right-hander, who once again managed to make it through seven innings in four out of his five starts for the month. Although August saw deGrom allow an additional four earned runs compared to his July totals, the ace still saw a steady decrease in that ERA- finishing the month at a lovely 2.66.
Much to the surprise of no one, deGrom finished his 2019 season on several high notes, leading the Mets to victories in each of his last four starts. The ace had a fantastic finish to the season by allowing just five earned runs in 35 innings throughout the month of September, while also locking down a 2.43 ERA for the season.
2019 Key Moment
Trips to Atlanta haven’t been exactly fun for the Mets in recent years, but Jacob deGrom was able to lighten the mood on June 18. It was the first time the Mets had won in one of his starts since May 22.
Facing off against Atlanta starter Julio Teheran, deGrom earned a win and then some after grinding through 8.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and punching out 10 Braves.
2020 Outlook
There’s no reason to believe that we can expect anything different from our resident ace in 2020. Jacob deGrom has proven time and time again that, even on days where he looks flat out uncomfortable on the mound, he can grind through a quality start at the very least. Thus, it would be hard to foresee any significant issues or struggles in the upcoming season.
If deGrom is simply able to stay healthy and on the field for the better part of 2020, he may have a shot at a third straight Cy Young campaign.
