Rangers' Jacob deGrom must reinvent himself if he wants his career to last

For years, Jacob deGrom was untouchable — one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, known for his high-velocity fastball and pinpoint command. However, after undergoing two Tommy John surgeries, the reality is apparent: if deGrom doesn’t adjust his approach, his career may not last much longer.

With the Texas Rangers, deGrom is trying to return to form after missing most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. His recent spring training start showed promise and signs that adjustments are necessary. His fastball sat at 95.5 mph and topped out at 97 mph — still above the league average but a noticeable drop from the 99-100 mph range he regularly hit at his peak. 

He admitted after the outing that he needs to "pitch smarter instead of harder," signaling that even he knows he can’t keep pushing his arm to the limit without consequences.

DeGrom’s elite velocity has been both a blessing and a curse. Studies have shown that pitchers throwing harder stress their elbows significantly more. A study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that for every one mph increase in fastball velocity, there is a measurable increase in ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) stress. Since deGrom has already torn his UCL twice, continuing to throw in the upper 90s may invite another breakdown.

Pitchers who undergo multiple Tommy John surgeries have mixed results. Some, like Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Capuano, continued their careers with adjusted approaches. Others, like Daniel Hudson, struggled to stay healthy. The key factor? Reinventing their pitching style to reduce strain on their arms.

If deGrom hopes to extend his career, he may need to follow the path of other aging aces who adjusted their pitching styles. Justin Verlander, another flamethrower, saw his velocity dip in his mid-30s but remained dominant by focusing more on movement, sequencing, and off-speed pitches. Max Scherzer shifted similarly, relying less on sheer velocity and more on deception and strategic pitch usage.

DeGrom has the tools to make this transition. His slider has always been one of the best in baseball, and his changeup could become a more prominent weapon if he commits to it. Rather than trying to overpower hitters, he could rely on sequencing, command, and movement to continue his dominance.

The Rangers have been cautious with deGrom, easing him into spring training to keep him healthy for the long haul. But once the regular season starts, will he fall back into the habit of trying to hit triple digits on the radar gun?

If deGrom embraces pitching smarter instead of harder, he could extend his career well into his late 30s. But if he continues pushing his elbow to its limits, history suggests another breakdown may be a matter of time.