Mets' Jacob deGrom never thought he would be All-Star material
Jacob deGrom has done nothing but display elite talent since making his debut last season, but he's taken aback to have been selected as an All-Star and now be in Cincinnati enjoying all the festivities.
"I mean, I think I am good pitcher," deGrom said. "I think we are all confident in that whenever we take the mound. But I never would have thought that I was All-Star type material. It's really taking a little while to set in."
While it might take time for deGrom to wrap his head around his All-Star bid, it's no conundrum for baseball fans.
After winning the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year award, the 27-year-old right has been sensational in his sophomore season.
He holds a 9-6 record with a 2.14 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 113 2/3 innings at the All-Star break.
"I definitely needed that," deGrom said of his first-half success. "I wanted to kind of prove it wasn't luck, you know. Everybody says your second year is your toughest year, because they have more video on you. I think I have made a pretty good adjustment, looking at video and stuff, and had a good game plan, going into a game."
"I am so happy," pitching coach Dan Warthen added of deGrom's All-Star selection. "After winning Rookie of the Year, so often people come back and have the sophomore jinx. He's just such a great worker, a great kid, you don't even know he's around unless he's pitching that day. He's really showing what he can be."
In 39 major-league games so far, deGrom is 18-12 with a 2.44 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 256 strikeouts in 254 innings.
After his early success, the baseball community is excited to track deGrom as he continues to help the Mets resurrect their franchise.
(h/t New York Daily News)
