DeGrom Returns to Queens for First Time Since Leaving Mets

Philadelphia – For the first time since October 8, 2022, the only postseason wildcard win for the Mets over the Padres, it’s like DeGrom’s Day all over again.

Almost three years have passed, and Jacob DeGrom made his way back to the mound at Citi Field, where he had once reached remarkable heights as a pitcher.

“That’s his mound,” said Pete Alonso, a longtime teammate, before the Mets faced the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night. “He might be with another team now, but that’s still Jake’s mound.”

The former Mets standout, now playing for the Rangers, is set to return to Queens this Friday—his first visit since leaving for free agency after the 2022 season.

DeGrom hasn’t had a chance to face the Mets since signing a five-year, $185 million deal with Texas. During his nine seasons in New York, he was arguably the most dominant pitcher of his era.

Making his debut in 2014, DeGrom quickly grabbed attention, winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award and pushing the limits of pitching performance. His fastball, which averaged 93.5 mph in his rookie year, surged to 98.6 mph by 2021.

The results were impressive. He earned the NL Cy Young Award twice, in 2018 and 2019, and made five All-Star teams.

His starter’s career ERA+ stands at 153, second only to Clayton Kershaw (155) and Pedro Martinez (154). His striking record of 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings is the third highest for qualified pitchers.

However, injuries began to plague him starting in 2021, restricting him to just 26 starts during that frustrating season with the Mets. Combined with Tommy John surgery in 2023, which kept him sidelined for much of that season, his durability is what holds him back from a likely Hall of Fame induction.

It’s not just Alonso who feels this way.

“In my opinion, he’s a Hall of Famer,” Alonso stated before finishing the series against the Phillies. “When he’s healthy, he’s probably one of the best ever.”

Alonso appreciates what DeGrom brings on a start-by-start basis and is glad to see him healthy this year, even if results look a bit different. DeGrom is adjusting his game, dialing back slightly to stay on the field.

This season, he’ll likely garner some Cy Young votes with a 2.78 ERA, though it pales in comparison to his staggering 1.08 from his 15th start in 2021. His strikeouts per nine innings have dipped from 14.3 in past seasons to 9.8 now.

Perhaps the current version of DeGrom is reminiscent of the one Alonso saw back in Port St. Lucie in March.

“When I face him [Friday], it’s usually like my first few at-bats after not having seen him for months—the ball looks tiny,” Alonso remarked.

He characterized DeGrom as a fantastic teammate and a great person, someone who always aimed to uplift his colleagues.

In a moment of high praise, Alonso declared him a “baseball player,” emphasizing that DeGrom isn’t just a pitcher; he’s an exceptional athlete who once envisioned himself as a shortstop.

DeGrom was a beacon for Mets fans, often providing a reason to tune in every five days despite playing on some underwhelming teams.

“Just because he’s on another team now doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate him,” Alonso noted. “He has a history with this fanbase and organization.”