While the Mets were busy cultivating starting pitching in the minor leagues over the last several years, Jacob deGrom never received anywhere near the fanfare pitchers like Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler and even Steven Matz got in their time in the minors.
In a way, that lack of fanfare fits deGrom’s personality. He is a quieter presence in the Mets clubhouse, someone who does his work on the field but seemingly blends in like normal folk inside the Mets clubhouse.
He doesn’t seem to be a guy who likes the attention which he is undoubtedly receiving from the media and the industry as a whole. He is a focused individual, someone who has set his mind on one thing only, and that is pitching when it’s his turn and doing what he can to win a ball game.
But deGrom is a star, a star which is growing brighter and brighter with each passing start, whether he likes it or not.
After his seven shutout innings against the Rockies, he didn’t even realize what his ERA was, which is now 2.03 and second to only Zack Greinke among all qualified major league starting pitchers.
“I honestly haven’t thought about it. I just try to go out there, put up zeros and give us a chance to win,” he said modestly after earning his 11th win of the year on Wednesday.
DeGrom pitched nearly flawless baseball for seven innings on Wednesday, allowing only two hits with ten strikeouts in seven shutout innings.
The star right-hander hit some rough waters in the middle innings, walking three of his four batters on the night in the fifth and sixth.
DeGrom, who had struggled with location and his ability to put hitters away in his previous two starts, was in complete command through the first four innings. But he fell out of sync in the fifth inning when he allowed a leadoff double to DJ LeMahieu and a walk to Michael McKenry. He was able to work out of that jam, but found himself back in trouble the following inning when he walked Carlos Gonzalez and Ben Paulsen. He was bailed out of the jam thanks to a brilliant defensive play by Juan Uribe at third base, and a botched squeeze play on the part of the Rockies.
“The guys battled, put together good at-bats and got me a couple runs. The last thing I wanted to do was give up the lead,” said deGrom. “So I really beared down there and made my pitches and luckily got out of it.”
DeGrom acknowledged he struggled with his command in those middle innings despite being able to work out of those jams.
“My command was off a little bit. I had, what, four walks?” deGrom explained. “But other than that, I felt good. I had good command of my curveball and change-up, and was able to get outs with that.”
The four walks deGrom allowed even caught manager Terry Collins off-guard.
It was only the third time he’s walked more than three batters in any game to date in 2015.
“To be honest, four walks I was shocked at because he doesn’t walk guys,” the manager explained.
But as dominant as deGrom has been in general in 2015, he has been lights out good at home, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 12 starts at Citi Field.
“I think it’s just the home crowd,” the right-hander said. “We like throwing in front of them, we like playing here, and we’ve played well here.”
DeGrom is appreciative of the support the fans have shown not only him, but the team as a whole who improved to 41-18 at Citi Field, their best record through 59 home games in franchise history.
“It’s awesome. The fans have been great and we really appreciate them coming out.”
Aside from his talent which is off the charts, it’s that poise, guile, and maturity beyond his years which makes deGrom so unique and special. That focus is what helped get him through two pretty difficult jams Wednesday night to keep Colorado off the board, and help secure the club’s third win in a row.
But he does all of this so quietly and is so unassuming. If not for his hair, he might be the most unrecognizable star in sports.
Just Mets 