Mets’ Jacob deGrom is “aging like fine wine”

Feb 16, 2020; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom warms-up before a workout during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Another night, another impressive outing by New York Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom. During Thursday night’s start against the Houston Astros, the right-hander casually dropped 100 mph heaters, and even reached 102 mph at one point. He is such an ageless wonder that it is becoming customary.

When he wasn’t pumping fastballs by Astros’ hitters, he was freezing them with 94 mph changeups. Lots of major league pitchers would dream to have a heater as fast as deGrom’s changeup.

The 32-year-old Mets’ ace has found a way to increase velocity almost every single year of his career. When he broke into the league in 2014, the fastball averaged 94 miles per hour. The yearly increase began in 2018, with 96 mph, and it reached 97 on average in 2019. Last season, it usually hovered around 98.6 mph, but hit 102.2 during his final outing.

This time, he is already at 102 in spring training.

“He’s aging like fine wine,” Mets first baseman Pete Alonso said to MLB.com. “It’s so fun to watch, because every year, he just keeps getting better and better.”

The Mets’ ace totally dominated the Astros

During last night’s start, deGrom struck out seven of the nine hitters he faced, mostly Astros’ minor leaguers and bench players. His three innings on the mound were scoreless, and that didn’t surprise anyone in attendance.

“Totally dominated,” said a scout in attendance.

“He looked like a Hall of Famer out there,” added Alonso. If he looked like one, it’s probably because he is well on his way to be elected one day.

“He knows his routine,” Mets’ manager Luis Rojas said. “He’s gone through Spring Training before and these Opening Days now. … He knows what to do out there.”

Unsurprisingly, the Mets announced deGrom as their Opening Day starter, and the pitcher himself has said that winning his third Cy Young award is a personal goal of his. Watch out.