Jacob deGrom's Insane Career: The Rise, Dominance, and Uncertain Hall of Fame Future

Jacob deGrom: A Career Defined by Dominance and Injuries

There is perhaps no pitcher as dominant as Jacob deGrom. With the ability to throw 100+ mph fastballs and a wicked slider, he has put together some of the most impressive single-season performances in MLB history. His career accolades include two Cy Young Awards, a Rookie of the Year title, and an ERA crown. However, his greatest adversary has been injuries, which have kept him off the mound for extended periods and threatened his Hall of Fame chances.

But deGrom wasn’t always the injury-prone player he is labeled as today. In 2014, he wasn't even the top-ranked pitching prospect in the Mets' farm system—Noah Syndergaard was. After an injury opened the door for deGrom, he made a statement in his MLB debut against the Yankees, showcasing his elite talent.

The Rise of a Dominant Ace

After a strong rookie season that earned him the NL Rookie of the Year, deGrom continued refining his craft. He became the undisputed ace of the Mets and quickly cemented himself as one of the best pitchers in the league. His progression saw him increase his velocity, refine his mechanics, and become an elite strikeout pitcher.

In 2018 he truly ascended to greatness. That season, deGrom produced one of the greatest pitching campaigns in MLB history. Despite suffering from historically bad run support, he dominated hitters with an ERA of 1.70 across 32 starts, winning the Cy Young Award. He followed this up with another stellar season in 2019, winning back-to-back Cy Youngs—a feat achieved by just 11 players in history.

A Turn for the Worse: Injuries Take Their Toll

Despite adding even more velocity to his pitches, deGrom’s health began to deteriorate. By 2021, he was putting up historic numbers—including a jaw-dropping 0.50 ERA through his first 12 starts—but injuries robbed him of a full season. From that moment on, staying on the mound became his greatest challenge.

Injuries continued to derail him through 2022, and in December, he signed a massive $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers. While the Rangers were thrilled with their new ace, deGrom's body once again struggled to keep up. Surgery forced him to miss most of the 2023 season and has caused him to only make nine starts with the Rangers since signing the massive contract.

Will deGrom Make the Hall of Fame?

Few pitchers in MLB history have dominated at the level deGrom has, but the biggest knock against him is longevity. He has compiled impressive numbers, but injuries have limited his total innings pitched, making it uncertain whether he will reach the typical Hall of Fame thresholds.

Should deGrom win another Cy Young Award, it would significantly boost his case. History has shown that two Cy Youngs often aren't enough for a guaranteed Hall of Fame spot, but winning a third would put him into an elite club of pitchers who almost always make it into Cooperstown.

Can He Change His Approach?

One potential solution for deGrom to extend his career is dialing back his velocity. His relentless pursuit of throwing harder than anyone else may be contributing to his frequent injuries. If he can adjust his approach—similar to other pitchers who have aged gracefully—there is still hope that he can add more years to his career and solidify his case for the Hall of Fame.

The Legacy of Jacob deGrom

DeGrom's career has been a mixture of historic dominance and devastating injury setbacks. When he's on the mound, he's virtually unhittable, but staying healthy remains his biggest challenge. His potential Hall of Fame status is still up in the air, but if he can put together another dominant season and add to his already impressive resume, his case will be hard to ignore.

Will Jacob deGrom cement his place in Cooperstown, or will his injuries be too much to overcome? Only time will tell.