When the Texas Rangers signed Jacob deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal before the 2023 season, they knew the gamble came with both massive upside and serious health concerns.
That risk became reality quickly — deGrom underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-2023 and was limited to just 41 innings across his first two seasons with the club. Still, in that short window, his dominance was evident, and the Rangers leaned on every bit of their pitching depth en route to a World Series title.
Now in 2025, the picture is mixed. While the offense has stumbled despite its potential, the pitching staff has overdelivered — with deGrom right in the middle of that resurgence.
Though some may rank him behind Nathan Eovaldi and Tyler Mahle in terms of 2025 impact, that undersells how strong deGrom has actually been: a 4-1 record, 2.29 ERA, and 52 strikeouts over 51 innings. It’s his most substantial workload since his Mets days, where he was one of the most dominant arms in the game.
Historically, deGrom excelled in three critical areas: strikeout ability, limiting walks, and controlling contact. At his peak (2018–2020), his strikeout rate soared above 35%, his walk rate hovered around 5.5%, and he limited hard contact better than almost anyone in baseball — all leading to elite advanced ERA metrics.
That elite form hasn’t fully returned, but his current numbers are still impressive. His fastball and slider — his signature combo — are both performing at an “A” grade level this season, even if the velocity has dipped slightly.
He’s adjusted subtly post-surgery but hasn’t changed who he is — deGrom is still leaning heavily on the same two-pitch arsenal. His current strikeout rate (26.6%) and contact management are no longer elite, but they’re very solid.
Most importantly, his ability to take the mound regularly is a storyline in itself. At 37 years old and after so much missed time, simply being able to contribute this effectively over a decent stretch is a major win for Texas.
Even if deGrom can’t give the Rangers a full 150-inning season, 100 high-quality innings could swing the balance in a tight AL West.
With the Mariners failing to take control of the division and both Texas teams hovering around .500, deGrom’s health could prove decisive as the summer heats up. If he stays upright, the Rangers’ bet may finally start to pay off — with postseason implications once again in play.
