Jacob deGrom arrived to the majors as a solid but not spectacular minor leaguer.

With the likes of Zack Wheeler, Mets’ 2010 first-round pick Matt Harvey, Rafael Montero, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz touted as the foundation for the major league staff, the 25-year-old deGrom was considered an afterthought.

In mid-May, deGrom was called up to the Mets for bullpen help. He made his debut at Citi Field in the Subway Series, not as a reliever, but as a starter — an emergency fill-in for the injured Dillon Gee.

On May 15, he was an unknown. By the end of the season, he was clearly the National League’s top rookie. The balloting for Rookie of the Year proved that. DeGrom garnered 26 of the 30 first-place votes and became the fifth Met to receive the honor following Tom Seaver (1967), Jon Matlack (1972), Darryl Strawberry (1983), and Dwight Gooden (1984).

“To have my name mentioned with those guys is a real honor,” he told SNY. “Coming into this year, I never would’ve expected this.”

The former college shortstop and a ninth-round draft pick went 9-6 over 22 starts with a 2.69 ERA (130 ERA+) and totaled 144 strikeouts in 140.1 innings.

Following a terrific debut against the Yankees, he had some trouble matching that first performance over the next six weeks despite setting a rookie franchise record of 67.1 innings without allowing a homer (it lasted until early August). On July 8, deGrom began a stretch that would gradually see him earn national recognition. He won eight of his next nine decisions — striking out 91 with a 1.90 ERA. He was named NL Rookie of the Month for July and had a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts following the All-Star break.

In September, deGrom was again the NL’s top rookie as he tossed 28 consecutive scoreless innings. None of the great Mets rookie pitchers — Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Matlack, or Gooden — can claim anything so impressive. The streak ended on September 15, but that night was highlighted by eight straight strikeouts to start the game which matched a modern-day major-league record.

The foundation was laid for the greatest Mets pitcher of this generation. He would join the likes of Seaver, Matlack, and Gooden as stellar rookie Mets pitchers and has kept his name among the hierarchy of all-time Mets greats.