Jacob deGrom continued his storybook season Monday night, beginning his start against the Marlins with eight straight strikeouts to tie MLB's modern-era record.
New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom further padded his National League Rookie of the Year resume against the Marlins on Monday night. The right-hander started the game with eight consecutive strikeouts, tying the modern-era record, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Astros starter Jim Deshaies had previously set the record in an outing against the Dodgers on Sept. 23, 1986.
The 26-year-old deGrom continues to impress for the Mets after seemingly coming out of nowhere to vie for the NL's Rookie of Year award. He entered Monday with a 2.62 ERA and 2.88 FIP over 127⅓ innings pitched in 2014. He struck out 121 batters and walked just 39 in 20 starts, allowing only seven home runs.
Never a top prospect due to his advanced age and atypical development path (he played shortstop in college), deGrom has been one of the NL's best starters this season. He has pitched at least six innings in 10 consecutive starts and given up more than three earned runs just once over that span (and more than one run only three times).
His ability to garner whiffs in bunches has grown even more impressive as the year has gone on. He came into Monday's outing with the 13th-best strikeout rate in the NL (min. 120 IP), ranking ahead of heralded starters such as Jordan Zimmermann and Adam Wainwright.
With his performances only improving over the last couple months, deGrom has become a frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year along with Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton. The speedy Hamilton has hit .259/.297/.368 with 39 extra-base hits and 56 steals, while also playing solid defense in center field for Cincinnati.
But deGrom has a strong case on his own, with the Mets hurler posting a 1.84 ERA with more than four times as many strikeouts as walks in the season's second half entering the game Monday.
For the Mets, deGrom's emergence provides hope for the future as well, especially with Matt Harvey set to return in 2015 and fellow youngster Zack Wheeler making strides in his second taste of big league action this season. Add in deGrom and top prospect Noah Syndergaard, and the Mets have the makings of a stellar young rotation in the years ahead.
And for this season, at least, deGrom is making a persuasive case to be named the NL's top newcomer. If he pitches like he did Monday night over his last couple starts, it will be hard to argue against him.