Stat Line: 6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 8 SO, 0 BB
Jacob deGrom deGrominant once again. DeGrom showed an exceptional pitch command coupled with sharp pitch movement, throwing four pitches at a 65% or better strike rate and producing a swing and miss with each pitch.
In this article, I discuss deGrom’s most and least impressive moments from yesterday evenings 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.
First Inning At-Bat vs. Bryce Harper
The best barometer of pitching talent is how well a pitcher attacks an upper echelon MLB hitter. Currently, Bryce Harper is the most explosive and consistent hitter in MLB (.331 BA/.463 OBP/1.153 OPS).
With a 3-2 count against Harper, deGrom buckled down throwing a perfect sequence of pitches: low and away changeup barely fouled off, up and away fastball fouled off, another low and away changeup barely fouled off, low and in cutter barely fouled off, up and outside fastball flown out to Curtis Granderson.
The ability to battle through a ten pitch at-bat against Harper without making a mistake is inconceivable this season. Additionally, deGrom throwing three different pitch types in three different locations resulting in three off-balance swings from Harper, speaks to the strength of deGrom’s repertoire.
Two Mistakes in Fifth Inning
The first mistake came in pitch execution as deGrom hung an inside curveball against Yunel Escobar resulting in a double down the left field line.
The second mistake came against Wilson Ramos on a 96 mph belt-high four-seam fastball on the outside corner lined for a homerun to right field. Although the pitch location belt high on the outside corner wasn’t perfect (see yesterday’s article about the difference between belt high as opposed to knee high), it’s the pitch selection that was the bigger mistake.
In the first pitch of Ramos’ at-bat, Ramos took an excellent swing on deGrom’s 98 mph fastball that was fouled back out of play. This should have been an indication to deGrom that Ramos’ approached the at-bat looking to drive a fastball. Additionally, it showed that Ramos had good timing or gauge on the speed of deGrom’s fastball.
Conversely, deGrom should have mixed in an off speed pitch before going back to his fastball.
Looking Forward
DeGrom continues to throw harder, hitting 98 mph last night, without sacrificing command. To keep the excitement going, consider deGrom’s last eight starts: 5-2, 57 SO, 8 BB, 9.05 K/9, 1.59 ERA, and 2.16 FIP.
Next start will be against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.
Stat of the Night
DeGrom threw a first pitch strike against 19 of the 21 National’s faced resulting in a 90% first pitch strike percentage. By MLB scouting standards, a 70% first pitch strike percentage is considered excellent.
Statistics thanks to @brooksbaseball & @fangraphs
Follow Chris Zaccherio on Twitter @ziography for more Mets pitching insight that goes beyond statistics.
