Jacob deGrom
United StatesJacob deGrom is an American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball. As of the 2021 season, he plays for the New York Mets and he is signed with them through to 2023. He stands at 6 feet and 4 inches. He bats left and throws with his right hand. Jacob attended the Calvary Christian Academy for high school and he attended Stetson University for college. He was drafted into in 2014 where he played in the minor leagues before being promoted to the majors. He exceeded his rookie limits during his debut year.
DeGrom was born Jacob Anthony DeGrom on June 19, 1988. He attended the Calvary Christian Academy in Ormond Beach. When he was a senior in high school, he was named to the All-Florida Second Team by the Sports Writers Association. He went unselected for the draft after high school. This led to him attending the Stetson University where he played for their team, the Hatters. DeGrom started out a shortstop, but quickly developed into one of the team’s best pitchers.
He joined the Minor League under the New York Mets after they selected him during the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He also received a signing bonus of $95,000. The Mets assigned him to play for the Kingsport Mets. After six starts, he was diagnosed with an ulnar collateral ligament tear, for which he had to get reconstruction surgery. In November 2013, he was added to the New York Mets’ 40-man roster. By May of 2014, he was already inserted into their starting rotation as a replacement for an injured Dillon Gee. He received two Rookie of the Month awards, one in July and again in September. He was also named Rookie of the Year for 2014.
In 2015, he was named to the All-Star team and he also received a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award. At the start of the 2016 season, deGrom had some issues with his contract, but he eventually still signed with the Mets. Later in the year, he underwent ulnar nerve surgery. For the 2017 season, he came to an agreement with the Mets and signed with them for the season for $4.05million. For 2018, they agreed to a $7.4 million salary. Early in this season, he was placed on the injured list. In 2019, deGrom and the Mets agreed to a $17 million salary. They also signed a contract extension which would have Jacob playing for the Mets through to 2023.
Professional Career Highlights and Awards
- 2015, 2018, 2018, 2021 - All-Star
- 2019, 2020 - All-MLB First Team
- 2018, 2019 - NL Cy Young Award
- 2018 - NL ERA leader
- 2019 - NL strikeout leader
- 2015 – Wilson Defensive Player of
- 2014 - NL Rookie of the Year