Jacob deGrom is considered one of the best pitchers of his time. The one who understands the thrill of being unstoppable on the field as well as the frustration of dealing with injuries beyond his control. After signing a $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers before the 2023 season, he barely got started before needing his second Tommy John surgery. Now, nearly two years later, he’s working his way back—not just physically, but mentally. And to say that the path has been tough would be an understatement.
Pitching isn’t just about velocity and movement; it’s a mental chess match. deGrom understands this better than most. In a recent outing, he struck out Tyler Gentry with a sequence that showcased his brilliance: a slider well off the plate, a more tempting slider, a curveball that got a generous strike call, and then a 97.3 mph fastball in the perfect spot to freeze the hitter. But the real insight came after the strikeout.
“It’s always a thing of trusting your stuff,” deGrom admitted as per Jeff Passan of ESPN. “It’s one of the hardest things to do in this game, and part of it’s the fear of failure.” He further added, “You throw a pitch at 93 when you could have thrown it at 98 and it’s a homer, you’re like, ‘Why did I do that?‘”
After missing most of 2023 and 2024, deGrom has had time to think. He watched his team win the World Series without him, then fall short in their title defense. Now, he’s determined to be part of the fight, but he knows he can’t just rely on the electric stuff that made him a two-time Cy Young winner.
“You still have to go out there and trust your stuff, know that you can locate and change speeds, and still get outs, not full tilt the whole time,” he said. For a guy who’s built his career on blowing hitters away, that’s an adjustment. But it’s one that could extend his career if he embraces it.
deGrom is having a normal offseason for the first time in years. His arm feels good. His mind is locked in. Rangers don’t need him to be a superhero—just healthy and effective. But if he can conquer that “fear of failure,” the rest of the league should be very afraid.
Why a healthy Jacob deGrom changes everything for the Rangers
As their key player on the field, he has the ability to change the course of a playoff series single-handedly when performing at his best level and with full energy and focus. Despite encountering setbacks due to injuries and inconsistencies in 2024, the Rangers have a pitching roster with Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray as their lead pitchers along with rising stars, like Cody Bradford adding depth to their lineup. Moreover, bringing back deGrom at strength into this mix instantly boosts Texas to a new level, transforming them from being on the fringe of contention to becoming a real force to be reckoned with in the American League.
Dealing with deGrom’s contributions not only boosts the team but also eases the burden on other pitchers in the rotation. The Rangers can do that by allowing him to pitch deeper into games and lessening the workload over the course of the 162-game season. Mentally, his return provides an energy boost for a team looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2024. The Rangers signed deGrom for these moments—to be the difference in tight postseason battles. If he stays healthy, Texas won’t just be a contender; they’ll be a legitimate threat to reclaim their World Series crown.
In essence, if he stays healthy, his dominance on the mound changes everything—from the rotation’s depth to the team’s postseason outlook. But can the Rangers manage his workload effectively to keep him fresh for a deep postseason run? Let’s discuss.
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