Jacob deGrom is on the cusp of a remarkable pitching achievement not seen in nearly a decade, but does it truly serve the Texas Rangers' best interests?
After a season that was, by all accounts, just average for the 2025 Texas Rangers, a significant silver lining emerged: the spectacular resurgence of their ace, Jacob deGrom. He's once again showcasing the dominant pitching prowess that captivated the nation when he earned back-to-back Cy Young Awards with the New York Mets. Last season, deGrom posted an impressive 12-8 record across 30 starts, boasting a 2.97 ERA, a stingy 0.92 WHIP, and striking out 187 batters over 172.2 innings.
But here's where it gets interesting: MLB.com is forecasting an even more explosive year for the fireballer in 2026. They predict he'll shatter the 200-strikeout mark for the first time in seven seasons. His last time hitting this incredible milestone was in 2019, when he led the National League with a staggering 255 strikeouts!
Ranger fans might have mixed feelings about this projection.
On one hand, it would be absolutely thrilling to see deGrom follow up his Player of the Year caliber season with an even more dominant 2026. Surpassing 200 strikeouts would almost certainly signal another masterful season, positioning him squarely in the Cy Young conversation and, crucially, helping lead the Rangers to the postseason. For these reasons, Rangers' fans are undoubtedly eager to see deGrom rack up strikeouts well beyond that 200 mark.
And this is the part most people miss... some might question whether the Rangers truly need that level of production from their ace. At 37 years old, deGrom has a well-documented injury history. While he seemed to manage his workload effectively last year, even mentioning that dialing back his fastball was key to avoiding setbacks, the question remains: is pushing for extreme strikeout numbers worth the risk?
Let the rest of the starting rotation pick up the slack.
The Rangers are in an incredibly enviable position with their starting pitching staff. With Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter, and a strong contender from Jacob Latz, Cody Bradford, or Kumar Rocker set to round out the rotation, manager Skip Schumaker is keen on continuing to monitor deGrom's innings and pitch counts. It would be fantastic to witness deGrom return to his former glory, averaging 13 or 14 strikeouts per nine innings like in his heyday. However, is it wise to push an aging starter, potentially adding to his extensive IL history, especially when he found such a remarkable groove last season by managing his workload?
What do you think? Should the Rangers encourage deGrom to chase those strikeout milestones, or is it more important to prioritize his long-term health and the team's overall success by letting other pitchers share the load? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
