MLB.com, the league’s official page, recently reviewed the best homegrown players in the National League East division. The list is filled with stars: an up-and-coming Brian Anderson for the Miami Marlins, the great Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves, and aces Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals) and Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies.) The New York Mets‘ representative is none other than Jacob deGrom.
And there should be no question about it. The Mets have some great homegrown talent – Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Noah Syndergaard, Amed Rosario, Dominic Smith, Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and Steven Matz fit the bill – but the deGrom is a class above the rest.
However, we started wondering, is deGrom the greatest draft pick in the history of the New York Mets? That is a heavy statement, since the team exists since the sixties. Lots of drafts have come and gone.
The Mets have had some great selections
Stars such as David Wright, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, to name just three, were picked in the first round by the New York Mets. There is stiff competition. But I would give the nod to deGrom since he was drafted in the ninth round, as a shortstop!
MLB.com’s beat writer for the Mets Anthony DiComo explains it better: “That makes deGrom, on a pound-for-pound basis, perhaps the greatest pick in franchise history.” And I would strongly agree.
Tom Seaver, arguably the greatest pitcher ever to put a Mets uniform, was actually a pick made by the Atlanta Braves.
The story of deGrom and the Mets is legendary. DiComo wrote that “the Mets plucked a skinny shortstop named Jacob deGrom out of the ninth round in 2010. Encouraged by the velocity and athleticism deGrom showed from the mound late in his college career at Stetson University, the Mets took a chance on him as a pitcher despite his limited experience at the position.”
“All he’s done since is win two NL Cy Young Awards and an NL Rookie of the Year Award, represent them at three All-Star Games, lead them during the ‘15 postseason and sign a long-term contract that could make him a Met for life,” he said.
It’s hard to argue against a 2.62 lifetime ERA in 1,101.2 frames. Jacob deGrom might as well be the greatest draft pick in New York Mets’ history.