Why is Jacob Degrom So Good?

Jacob deGrom is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball today. He has put up some remarkable statistics throughout his career, including a record-breaking number of strikeouts and an ERA that ranks among the lowest in the live ball era.

But what makes deGrom so good? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the key factors that contribute to his success on the mound.

From his pinpoint command and diverse pitch selection to his athleticism and mental toughness, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Jacob deGrom such a dominant force in the world of baseball.

Whether you’re a die-hard Mets fan or simply a lover of the game, this post will give you a deeper appreciation for one of the greatest pitchers of our time.

Command and Control

Jacob deGrom’s ability to locate his pitches in the strike zone is one of the key reasons for his success on the mound.

He has exceptional command and control over his pitches, which allows him to throw strikes consistently and avoid walks. He is particularly skilled at throwing his fastball with velocity and precision, hitting the corners of the strike zone with ease.

DeGrom’s slider is also a devastating weapon that he uses to keep hitters off balance. He throws it with sharp, late-breaking movement that often fools batters into swinging and missing.

His slider has a high spin rate and excellent command, which makes it difficult for hitters to make solid contact.

In comparison to other pitchers with similar command and control, Yu Darvish stands out as one of deGrom’s closest competitors.

Darvish has a career strikeout rate of 10.6 per nine innings and has recorded over 1,500 strikeouts in his career, just behind deGrom’s record-breaking total.

He is also known for his ability to throw multiple pitches with precision and control, making him a formidable opponent on the mound.

Another pitcher who shares some similarities with deGrom in terms of command and control is Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kershaw is known for his excellent fastball command and his ability to throw a devastating curveball with pinpoint accuracy. He has a career ERA of 2.45, which is comparable to deGrom’s impressive 2.48.

Overall, deGrom’s exceptional command and control over his pitches, particularly his fastball and slider, set him apart from other pitchers in the league.

He has a rare combination of velocity, movement, and precision that makes him one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history.

Pitch Selection

Jacob deGrom has a diverse arsenal of pitches that he uses to keep hitters off balance and maximize his effectiveness on the mound. In addition to his fastball and slider, he also throws a devastating changeup and a curveball that he uses as a strikeout pitch.

DeGrom’s pitch selection is a key part of his strategy on the mound. He varies the speed and movement of his pitches, throwing them in different locations in the strike zone to keep hitters guessing.

He also adjusts his pitch selection based on the situation, often using his slider as a put-away pitch with two strikes or his changeup to induce ground balls and weak contact.

Compared to other pitchers with similar pitch selection skills, Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals is one of deGrom’s closest competitors.

Scherzer has a wide array of pitches at his disposal, including a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball, which he throws with excellent command and control.

He also varies his pitch selection strategically to keep hitters off balance, making him a formidable opponent on the mound.

Another pitcher who shares some similarities with deGrom in terms of pitch selection is Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros.

Verlander has a powerful fastball and an excellent slider, which he uses as his primary strikeout pitch. He also mixes in a curveball and a changeup, throwing them strategically to keep hitters guessing.

Overall, deGrom’s diverse arsenal of pitches and his strategic use of them make him one of the most effective pitchers in baseball.

He has a rare combination of velocity, movement, and deception that makes him a nightmare for opposing batters.

His ability to adjust his pitch selection based on the situation and keep hitters off balance sets him apart from other pitchers in the league.

Athleticism and Mechanics

Jacob deGrom’s athleticism is a crucial factor in his pitching success. He is an excellent athlete with exceptional body control and coordination, which allows him to repeat his delivery consistently and generate power and velocity on his pitches.

DeGrom’s smooth, repeatable delivery is one of the keys to his success. He has a compact, efficient delivery that he can repeat with ease, which allows him to generate maximum power and velocity on his pitches.

He has excellent balance and timing in his delivery, which helps him to stay on top of his pitches and maintain his command and control.

In comparison to other pitchers with similar athleticism and mechanics, one standout is Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox. Sale is known for his smooth, fluid delivery, which allows him to generate a great deal of power and velocity on his pitches.

He is also an excellent athlete with exceptional body control and coordination, which helps him to repeat his delivery consistently.

Another pitcher who shares some similarities with deGrom in terms of athleticism and mechanics is Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees. Cole has a powerful, explosive delivery that he can repeat with ease, allowing him to generate maximum power and velocity on his pitches.

He also has excellent body control and coordination, which helps him to stay balanced and maintain his command and control.

Overall, deGrom’s athleticism and mechanics are a key part of his pitching success. His smooth, repeatable delivery and exceptional body control allow him to generate maximum power and velocity on his pitches, while also maintaining his command and control.

His athleticism sets him apart from other pitchers in the league and makes him one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history.

Competitive Drive

Jacob deGrom is known for his intense competitive drive and work ethic, which have been a driving force behind his success on the mound.

He approaches each start with focus and determination, always striving to improve and give his team the best chance to win.

DeGrom’s mental toughness and resilience have also been crucial to his success at the highest level of the game.

He has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including injuries, setbacks, and adversity, but he has always remained focused and determined to overcome them.

One example of deGrom’s intense competitive drive and work ethic was during the 2019 season, when he battled through multiple injuries to post a 2.43 ERA and win his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award.

Despite dealing with elbow, back, and hamstring issues, deGrom never lost his focus or determination, always pushing himself to be the best pitcher he could be.

Another example of deGrom’s mental toughness and resilience was during the 2020 season, when he faced the unprecedented challenges of pitching during a pandemic.

Despite the uncertainties and disruptions of the season, deGrom remained focused and determined, posting a 2.38 ERA and finishing third in the Cy Young voting.

Compared to other pitchers with similar competitive drive and work ethic, one standout is Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kershaw is known for his intense focus and work ethic, always striving to improve and give his team the best chance to win.

He has also faced his share of challenges throughout his career, including injuries and postseason struggles, but he has always remained focused and determined to overcome them.

Overall, deGrom’s intense competitive drive, work ethic, mental toughness, and resilience have been crucial to his success on the mound.

He approaches each start with focus and determination, always striving to be the best pitcher he can be. His mental toughness and resilience have helped him overcome numerous challenges and setbacks, making him one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history.

Here is a Table Summarizing Some of Jacob Degrom’s Key Career Statistics:

The table summarizes some of deGrom’s key career statistics, including his ERA, WHIP, strikeouts per nine innings, awards, and various other measures of his performance on the mound. It is a useful tool for quickly understanding deGrom’s accomplishments and comparing his numbers to those of other elite pitchers in baseball history.

FAQs

What is Jacob deGrom’s signature pitch?

Jacob deGrom is known for his fastball, which he throws with exceptional velocity and control. He also has a devastating slider and a changeup that he uses to keep hitters off balance.

How many Cy Young Awards has Jacob deGrom won?

Jacob deGrom has won two Cy Young Awards, one in 2018 and one in 2019. He is one of only a handful of pitchers in MLB history to win the award in consecutive seasons.

How does Jacob deGrom compare to other dominant pitchers in history?

Jacob deGrom’s numbers stack up favorably against some of the greatest pitchers of all time. His career ERA of 2.55 is among the best in baseball history, and his strikeout rate of 11.1 per nine innings is one of the highest of all time.

What is Jacob deGrom’s approach to pitching?

Jacob deGrom is known for his intense focus and preparation, and he approaches each start with a meticulous game plan. He is constantly studying opposing hitters and refining his approach to give himself the best chance to succeed on the mound.

Has Jacob deGrom ever played in the postseason?

Yes, Jacob deGrom has played in the postseason with the New York Mets. He was a key member of the team that advanced to the World Series in 2015, and he has continued to be a dominant force in postseason play throughout his career.

Conclusion

Jacob deGrom is one of the best pitchers in baseball history, and his success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including his exceptional command and control, diverse pitch selection, athleticism and mechanics, and intense competitive drive and work ethic.

He has set numerous records and achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including two Cy Young Awards, multiple All-Star selections, and the honor of being the only pitcher in MLB history to strike out 1,000 batters in his first 128 games.

DeGrom’s exceptional performance on the mound has been an inspiration to young players and fans alike, and his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the game is already secured.

As he continues to compete at the highest level, it will be exciting to see what new heights he can reach and what new records he can set in the years to come.