Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom was named American League Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday evening, cementing his return to premier status after elbow surgery. The award, announced in partnership with Major League Baseball, follows his previous selection for the same honor at the MLB Players Choice Awards in October.
The 37-year-old was one of the reasons the Rangers had the best rotation in baseball this season. Perhaps the most eye-catching statistic of his campaign? He made an almost unimaginable 30 starts.
Spin anchor
After battling injuries that all but wiped out his first two seasons in Texas, deGrom recertified himself as one of the game’s top weapons. He posted a 2.97 ERA – sixth-lowest among qualified AL starters – over 172 2/3 innings, his highest total since the 2019 season.
Crucially, deGrom avoided the injured list entirely, logging more innings in this season than in his previous three combined. The team has carefully managed its pitch count and workload all season, but the results speak for themselves.
Elite Performance: deGrom’s AL Ranks
DeGrom’s performance placed him at the top of the leaderboard among all qualified American League pitchers:
- ERA (2.97): 6th
- Walks (37): 3rd
- Strikeouts (185): 10th
- Total number of hits (122): 1st
- WHIP (0.92): 2nd
- Opponent batting average (.196): 2nd
The two-time Cy Young Award winner initially underwent elbow surgery after just six appearances two years ago. He was injured during the club’s World Series run and returned to make a symbolic three starts at the end of the 2024 season. His dominance over the entire 2025 season has paid off in the five-year, $185 million contract the Rangers signed him before the 2023 season.
deGrom is the third Rangers player in the past decade to earn the honor, joining outfielder Hunter Pence (2019) and first baseman Prince Fielder (2015).
I’m pretty sure literally no one predicted deGrom would make 30 starts for the Rangers. Fans are certainly happy that the two-time Cy Young winner has proven the doubters wrong.
#Jacob #deGrom #starts #named #Comeback #Player #Year