\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"With deGrom, you come for the velocity -- the 100 mph fastballs and 95 mph sliders. And he's lighting up the radar gun like he never missed a game.\n\ndeGrom's fastball-slider combo is probably the most overpowering two-pitch combo in baseball, which is why deGrom hasn't even really had to mix in his _also_ overpowering changeup so far.\n\nOver nine out of every 10 pitches deGrom is throwing this season are fastballs or sliders. And they're the same explosive fastballs and wipeout sliders that have made deGrom the most dominant pitcher in the world.\n\n**deGrom's fastball velocity**\n\n* **2021:** 99.2 mph (26% thrown 100+ mph)\n* **2022:** 99.3 mph (27% thrown 100+ mph)\n\n**deGrom's slider velocity**\n\n* **2021:** 91.6 mph (12% thrown 93+ mph)\n* **2022:** 93.0 mph (52% thrown 93+ mph)","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2022-08-08T02:02:58.628Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-08/07/29824889-f0360996-56f29619-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Statcast measures the velocity of three of Jacob deGrom's strikes, including 101.6 mph, 99.4 mph and 94.1 mph","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:12","slug":"jacob-degrom-shows-off-velocity","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-121","title":"New York Mets","team":{"__ref":"Team:121"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-594798","title":"Jacob deGrom","person":{"__ref":"Person:594798"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"player-tracking","title":"Statcast","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/maoamfpavkkvyv5sdom4"},"title":"Jacob deGrom shows off velocity","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/jacob-degrom-shows-off-velocity"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"He's throwing the fastest fastball among starting pitchers. His slider is the fastest secondary pitch among starting pitchers.\n\n**Highest fastball velocity, SP, 2022**\n\n_Min. 100 4-seamers thrown_\n\n1. **Jacob deGrom: 99.3 mph**\n \n2. Hunter Greene: 98.7 mph\n \n3. Spencer Strider: 98.1 mph\n \n4. Sandy Alcantara: 97.9 mph\n \n5. Gerrit Cole: 97.8 mph\n \n\n_deGrom's 2021 rank: 1_\n\n**Fastest secondary pitches, SP, 2022**\n\n_Min. 100 thrown of that type_\n\n1. **Jacob deGrom's slider: 93.0 mph**\n \n2. Edward Cabrera's changeup: 92.7 mph\n \n3. Sandy Alcantara's changeup: 91.8 mph\n \n4. Mitch Keller's changeup: 91.3 mph\n \n5. Zack Wheeler's slider: 90.6 mph\n \n\n_deGrom's 2021 rank: 3 (but fastest slider)_\n\nAs you might imagine, it's just as tough to hit 2022 deGrom as 2021 deGrom when he can still strike you out with a 101-plus mph fastball or a 95-plus mph slider -- even if you're an elite hitter.\n\nLook at who he's dialed it up against.\n\n**deGrom's fastest K's by pitch type**\n\n**2021:** 101.4 mph 4-seam (Manny Machado) / 94.9 mph slider (Fernando Tatis Jr.)\n\n**2022:** 101.6 mph 4-seam (Matt Olson) / 95.7 mph slider (Austin Riley)","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-06-06T04:48:03.485Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-06/05/9c8ef48b-804c1527-f0b60e77-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Statcast measures the velocity of Jacob deGrom's 101.4 mph fastball that struck out Manny Machado","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:23","slug":"degrom-s-101-4-mph-strikeout","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-121","title":"New York Mets","team":{"__ref":"Team:121"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-594798","title":"Jacob deGrom","person":{"__ref":"Person:594798"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"player-tracking","title":"Statcast","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/lqsoxhajwxd2vy1g5uny"},"title":"deGrom's 101.4 mph strikeout","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/degrom-s-101-4-mph-strikeout"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"No matter who you are, or which pitch he chooses of the two he's relying on (for now), you still can't hit deGrom.\n\n**deGrom's fastball results**\n\n* **2021:** .158 BA / .303 SLG / 30% whiff rate / 35% strikeout rate\n* **2022:** .122 BA / .293 SLG / 31% whiff rate / 30% strikeout rate\n\n**deGrom's slider results**\n\n* **2021:** .096 BA / .175 SLG / 58% whiff rate / 59% strikeout rate\n* **2022:** .148 BA / .167 SLG / 52% whiff rate / 56% strikeout rate\n\nHe's also attacking hitters in the same style. Check out where deGrom located his fastball and slider in 2021 vs. 2022.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Image","caption":null,"contextualCaption":null,"contextualAspectRatio":null,"credit":null,"contentType":"Photography","format":"png","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/cpitwklcranohikbwerg","type":"image"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"It's the basic formula for deGrom's mastery: fastball away to right-handed hitters and up to left-handed hitter; sliders down-and-away to righties and down-and-in to lefties, the traditional hitter dead zones made all the more lethal by deGrom's overwhelming velocity.\n\nNow, if you look at what deGrom is doing with his fastball-slider combo, one thing might jump off the page as different this season: the ratio of his fastball usage to slider usage. It's basically even.\n\n**deGrom's pitch usage, 2021 vs. 2022**\n\n* **2021:** 57% 4-seam, 33% slider, 9% changeup, <1% curveball\n* **2022:** 48% 4-seam, 44% slider, 5% changeup, 3% curveball\n\nYou might see that and think, \"Wow, deGrom is throwing a lot more sliders.\" From 2021 to '22, it's about a 10-point increase in slider usage, and a corresponding decrease in fastball usage.\n\nBut it's actually a continuation of what deGrom was doing over the course of last season. He started out the 2021 season throwing _tons_ of fastballs. deGrom threw almost two-thirds fastballs in April, and over 70% fastballs in May. But during the summer, he went to the same even pitch mix between his fastball and slider that he's using right now.\n\n**deGrom's 4-seamer vs. slider usage by month**\n\n* April 2021: 63% fastballs / 26% sliders\n* May 2021: 70% fastballs / 20% sliders\n* June 2021: 49% fastballs / 44% sliders\n* July 2021: 47% fastballs / 47% sliders\n* August 2022: 48% fastballs / 44% sliders","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2022-08-07T21:56:31.698Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-08/07/410acf9f-f5bc49d6-4c5b851b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Jacob deGrom surpasses Yu Darvish for most strikeouts in a pitcher's first 200 career games with strikeout number 1,518","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:16","slug":"dansby-swanson-strikes-out-swinging-1lt5de","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2022","title":"Season 2022","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-121","title":"New York Mets","team":{"__ref":"Team:121"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-594798","title":"Jacob deGrom","person":{"__ref":"Person:594798"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"key-moments","title":"Key Moments","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"alexa","title":"alexa","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/ppmdnxl6to3mdyj7j7vv"},"title":"deGrom sets K record in 200th game","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/dansby-swanson-strikes-out-swinging-1lt5de"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"That trend stays true across different situations, too. Here's a look at how deGrom's usage changes by the type of count, and by the time through the order. He's following the same patterns he did last summer.\n\n**deGrom's usage by count**\n\n**June/July 2021**\n\n* Even: 53% fastballs / 37% sliders\n* Behind: 51% fastballs / 46% sliders\n* Ahead: 41% fastballs / 53% sliders\n* 2 strikes: 34% fastballs / 59% sliders\n\n**August 2022**\n\n* Even: 55% fastballs / 36% sliders\n* Behind: 54% fastballs / 42% sliders\n* Ahead: 37% fastballs / 55% sliders\n* 2 strikes: 30% fastballs / 65% sliders","type":"text"},{"__typename":"OEmbed","html":"
\n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"So deGrom is really using his fastball-slider combo at the same frequency, and deploying each pitch in the same situations.\n\nAnd what happens when he starts throwing his 93 mph changeup more than once every 20 pitches, especially to top left-handed hitters -- like, say, Freddie Freeman -- and that two-pitch combo becomes a three-pitch combo? Because that has to be coming.\n\nWhen deGrom is healthy, he always seems to have more firepower. It's good to see him back at the top of his game -- and _the_ game -- just in time for the playoff push.","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/jacob-degrom-dominant-return-2022-numbers","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"Jacob deGrom is a hitter's recurring nightmare -- he went 13 months without pitching in a Major League game and now he's the very same pitcher in 2022 that he was in 2021.\nAnd if deGrom is the same, good luck hitting against the Mets in a playoff series, with","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"david-adler","title":"David Adler","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-594798","title":"Jacob deGrom","person":{"__ref":"Person:594798"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-121","title":"New York Mets","team":{"__ref":"Team:121"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"group-2","title":"group 2 - Draft Kings","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/oheb5gxpelhh9ofaz1eq","title":"The numbers behind Jacob deGrom's dominant return to the Mets"},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}],"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/mlb/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"mlb-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"mlb-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","placement":"right","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Postseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pay TV Providers","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/postseason/2024providers","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Authentication","linkUrl":"https://commerce.mlb.com/postseason?_gl=1*12q14wv*_ga*OTEzMDExMDk1LjE3MjE2NzkxNTg.*_ga_N8YFCZLYSZ*MTcyNzY0NTM2MS4zOC4xLjE3Mjc2NDY0NTguMjkuMC4zMTUxOTg5NTI.*_gcl_au*MjMyNzMwNDExLjE3MjE2NzkxNTg.","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV Partners","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Link Account","linkUrl":"live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Tickets","linkUrl":"/all-star/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1721167200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB at Rickwood Field","linkUrl":"/events/rickwood/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1718924400;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1711511940;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sell on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/sell/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=15&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/fan-value","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"VIP Ticket Packages","linkUrl":"/tickets/on-location-experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Students","linkUrl":"/tickets/students","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Tourism","linkUrl":"/tourism","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB World Tour","linkUrl":"/international/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Terms & Conditions","linkUrl":"/tickets/terms-and-conditions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"shopping-cart","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Online Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Auction","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=9mislq-18JnZhOEp-FeGzvUB3G6zxwkeKqwX99MKAttEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-Home","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB NYC Flagship Store","linkUrl":"/shop/nyc-retail-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en?portal=MLTS66FS&CMP=PSC-MLTS66FS","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Store","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rule Changes","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rule-changes-2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/probable-pitchers/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Report","linkUrl":"/injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"World Baseball Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Draft","linkUrl":"/draft/2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Game","linkUrl":"/all-star/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Life","linkUrl":"/fans/mlb-life","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Pipeline","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pipeline","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason History","linkUrl":"/postseason/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Great Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/longform","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Watch","linkUrl":"/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"Video","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Search","linkUrl":"/video","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast","linkUrl":"/video/topic/statcast","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Originals","linkUrl":"/fans/mlb-originals","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]},{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"MLB.TV","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Postseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/postseason","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2023 Postseason Recap","linkUrl":"/postseason/history/2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Regular Season","linkUrl":"/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Postseason","linkUrl":"/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02-20","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team by Team Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/team-by-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"National Broadcasts","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/national-broadcast-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast Leaders","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Statcast","linkUrl":"/statcast","linkTarget":"","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"/prospects/stats/top-prospects?type=all&minPA=1","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings/wild-card","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Youth","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball","linkUrl":"/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Youth Baseball & Softball","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"group","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Players","linkUrl":"/players","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Prospect Rankings","linkUrl":"/prospects","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Charts","linkUrl":"/team/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Players Association","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbplayers.com","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Negro Leagues","linkUrl":"/history/negro-leagues","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB Play","linkUrl":"/play","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Beat the Streak","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=BeatTheStreak2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Immaculate Grid","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ImmaculateGrid2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trivia","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=SporcleTrivia2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pickle","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Pickle2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"By the Numbers","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ByTheNumbers2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Diamond Decisions","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=DiamondDecisions2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bingo","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Bingo2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-mlb-2024","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;lang:es;label:Español","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"ES","linkUrl":"/es","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"日本語","linkUrl":"http://www.mlb.jp/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ja"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"í•œêµì–´","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbkor.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ko"}]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#002D72","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#041E42","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#057AFF","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":null,"headerMastheadTagline":null,"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"56px"}}},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","id":121,"division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"},"Person:594798":{"__typename":"Person","id":594798},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Oakland Athletics","shortName":"Oakland","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Major League Baseball","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
Jacob deGrom is a hitter's recurring nightmare -- he went 13 months without pitching in a Major League game and now he's the very same pitcher in 2022 that he was in 2021.
And if deGrom is the same, good luck hitting against the Mets in a playoff series, with deGrom and Max Scherzer starting Games 1 and 2.
With five starts under his belt, deGrom gets a big potential playoff preview on Wednesday: a marquee showdown against the MLB-best Dodgers at Citi Field. And the Dodgers are about to face Peak deGrom.
The Mets' ace has a 2.15 ERA, and he's already racked up 46 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings, a 14.1 K/9. He's putting up the same type of numbers, deGrom numbers, that he was before injury ended his 2021 season. And the stuff behind those numbers is as elite as ever.
Here's how deGrom has picked up right where he left off.
Jacob deGrom, 2022 (L) vs. 2021 (R) -- plus year-to-year overlays 👯
With deGrom, you come for the velocity -- the 100 mph fastballs and 95 mph sliders. And he's lighting up the radar gun like he never missed a game.
deGrom's fastball-slider combo is probably the most overpowering two-pitch combo in baseball, which is why deGrom hasn't even really had to mix in his also overpowering changeup so far.
Over nine out of every 10 pitches deGrom is throwing this season are fastballs or sliders. And they're the same explosive fastballs and wipeout sliders that have made deGrom the most dominant pitcher in the world.
deGrom's fastball velocity
2021: 99.2 mph (26% thrown 100+ mph)
2022: 99.3 mph (27% thrown 100+ mph)
deGrom's slider velocity
2021: 91.6 mph (12% thrown 93+ mph)
2022: 93.0 mph (52% thrown 93+ mph)
He's throwing the fastest fastball among starting pitchers. His slider is the fastest secondary pitch among starting pitchers.
Highest fastball velocity, SP, 2022
Min. 100 4-seamers thrown
Jacob deGrom: 99.3 mph
Hunter Greene: 98.7 mph
Spencer Strider: 98.1 mph
Sandy Alcantara: 97.9 mph
Gerrit Cole: 97.8 mph
deGrom's 2021 rank: 1
Fastest secondary pitches, SP, 2022
Min. 100 thrown of that type
Jacob deGrom's slider: 93.0 mph
Edward Cabrera's changeup: 92.7 mph
Sandy Alcantara's changeup: 91.8 mph
Mitch Keller's changeup: 91.3 mph
Zack Wheeler's slider: 90.6 mph
deGrom's 2021 rank: 3 (but fastest slider)
As you might imagine, it's just as tough to hit 2022 deGrom as 2021 deGrom when he can still strike you out with a 101-plus mph fastball or a 95-plus mph slider -- even if you're an elite hitter.
He's also attacking hitters in the same style. Check out where deGrom located his fastball and slider in 2021 vs. 2022.
It's the basic formula for deGrom's mastery: fastball away to right-handed hitters and up to left-handed hitter; sliders down-and-away to righties and down-and-in to lefties, the traditional hitter dead zones made all the more lethal by deGrom's overwhelming velocity.
Now, if you look at what deGrom is doing with his fastball-slider combo, one thing might jump off the page as different this season: the ratio of his fastball usage to slider usage. It's basically even.
You might see that and think, "Wow, deGrom is throwing a lot more sliders." From 2021 to '22, it's about a 10-point increase in slider usage, and a corresponding decrease in fastball usage.
But it's actually a continuation of what deGrom was doing over the course of last season. He started out the 2021 season throwing tons of fastballs. deGrom threw almost two-thirds fastballs in April, and over 70% fastballs in May. But during the summer, he went to the same even pitch mix between his fastball and slider that he's using right now.
deGrom's 4-seamer vs. slider usage by month
April 2021: 63% fastballs / 26% sliders
May 2021: 70% fastballs / 20% sliders
June 2021: 49% fastballs / 44% sliders
July 2021: 47% fastballs / 47% sliders
August 2022: 48% fastballs / 44% sliders
That trend stays true across different situations, too. Here's a look at how deGrom's usage changes by the type of count, and by the time through the order. He's following the same patterns he did last summer.
So deGrom is really using his fastball-slider combo at the same frequency, and deploying each pitch in the same situations.
And what happens when he starts throwing his 93 mph changeup more than once every 20 pitches, especially to top left-handed hitters -- like, say, Freddie Freeman -- and that two-pitch combo becomes a three-pitch combo? Because that has to be coming.
When deGrom is healthy, he always seems to have more firepower. It's good to see him back at the top of his game -- and the game -- just in time for the playoff push.