Even as a kid playing catch with his dad, Jacob deGrom always tried to hit his spots.
He did the same throughout his rehab process following a second Tommy John surgery, which he underwent just six starts into his Rangers career in 2023. Texas had signed the oft-injured ace away from the Mets just a few months earlier. It didn’t take long for the five-year, $185 million investment to break down.
Determined to get back on the mound — deGrom made three starts for the Rangers at the end of last season — the righty gave himself a “goal” for every throw, just as he did as a child. He would aim for his partner’s chest, head, and opposite sides of the body, moving the ball around with purpose and intent.
Now deGrom is pitching with the same command that helped him win two Cy Youngs with the Mets.
“I never doubted the process,” said deGrom, who has a 4-1 record, 2.29 ERA, 11 walks and 53 strikeouts over nine starts this season. “I did do one before.”
deGrom spoke to reporters on Tuesday from the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, as he was scheduled to pitch against the Yankees on Wednesday night. It will be deGrom’s first start back in New York since leaving the Mets.
While deGrom’s results are familiar, he is achieving success through new means.
First and foremost, he’s throttling back on his fastball after being failed by his arm time and time again. He’s still averaging 97 mph on the heater — deGrom averaged over 99 mph in 2021 — and leaning heavily on his slider as well, but his curveball and changeup now appear more often than they used to.
“He’s not trying to power his way through anybody,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “I think he’s made a concerted effort to probably dial it down just a touch, hitting the spots and things like that. He’s using all his pitches. I’ve noticed.”
Current Rangers and former Yankees catcher Yankee Kyle Higashioka added that deGrom has been “dotting” his and Jonah Heim’s glove all season.
“It’s really impressive to watch,” Higashioka continued. “He’s incredible.”
The Yankees were well-acquainted with the old deGrom, as he made his debut against them at Citi Field in 2014.
He introduced himself with authority, holding the Yankees to one earned run over seven innings that day.
“My debut day was special in the Subway Series,” deGrom recalled. “When Jeter stepped in the box, I was like, ‘Alright, this is real.’”
deGrom added that Tuesday’s trip to Yankee Stadium was “weird,” as he commuted from his apartment to the Bronx whenever the Mets visited their crosstown rival.
“First time going to a hotel and bussing in,” he said. “That was definitely different.”
The Yankees, meanwhile, will face a different version of deGrom on Wednesday, if only so slightly. Aside from the tweaks to his repertoire and velocity, Bochy said not much else has changed with the four-time All-Star.
“You’ll see,” Bochy said, surrounded by reporters from New York. “He’s similar to what you guys saw.”
