We may be witnessing baseball’s version of the “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom.
For pitchers, it’s common to lose velocity as they enter their thirties and approach their forties.
Those who spend their twenties regularly hitting 95, 96 mph are usually in the 90-91 mph range in their mid-to-late thirties.
deGrom, however, is the exception of the rule.
With each passing year, he finds a way to perfect his mechanics and throw even harder.
Granted, the high velocity has been a contributing factor on his recent injury issues, but when he is on the mound, there is no one like him in terms of putting on a show and getting results.
Instead of losing velo, deGrom is increasing it.
“% of Jacob deGrom fastballs that were 99+ MPH: 2014: 0.0%; 2015: 0.1%; 2016: 0.0%; 2017: 0.2%; 2018: 0.8%; 2019: 2.1%; 2020: 37.6%; 2021/2022: 61.8%,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
% of Jacob deGrom fastballs that were 99+ MPH:
2014: 0.0%
2015: 0.1%
2016: 0.0%
2017: 0.2%
2018: 0.8%
2019: 2.1%
2020: 37.6% 🔥
2021/2022: 61.8% 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/8z0bFAjK6S— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 18, 2022
deGrom Is Unfair For Hitters
During 2018 and 2019, his Cy Young seasons, not even one percent of his fastballs were thrown at a minimum velocity of 99 mph.
More than a third of his heaters reached that mark in 2020, and now, almost two-thirds of his four-seamers are coming at least at 99 mph.
He routinely touches 100 and can even reach back and throw 102 mph if he needs it.
He is 34 years old!
Last year, he could only complete 92 innings, but had an incredible 1.08 ERA and struck out 45.1 percent of the hitters he faced.
This year, he has a 1.62 ERA in three starts so far, after missing most of the year with issues related to his right scapula.
When he is healthy, the show is guaranteed with deGrom: not only he can routinely reach 100 mph, but he has impeccable command, too.
He is a cheat code.
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