Jacob deGrom — DeLand's Cy Young Son
Quick answer: Jacob deGrom was born in DeLand, Florida, on June 19, 1988, grew up in DeLeon Springs, and pitched for Stetson University after converting from shortstop to pitcher in his junior year. He won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2014 and back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019.
The DeLand years
deGrom was born in DeLand and grew up in DeLeon Springs — literally down the road from the water-powered sugar mill the rest of this site covers on the DeLeon Springs tour. He played travel ball and high-school ball at Calvary Christian in Ormond Beach, where he was a two-sport MVP [S85].
"Jacob deGrom is from DeLand, Florida — a town of ~42,000. He was born there in 1988 and played his college ball at Stetson University, less than two miles from the hospital where he was born."
The Stetson conversion — from shortstop to Cy Young
deGrom arrived at Stetson as a shortstop. The Hatters' coaching staff, looking for pitching depth, asked him to try the mound in his junior year. The arm stayed healthy, the velocity climbed, and by the end of that spring he was a draftable pitcher. Had he stayed at short, it's fair to wonder whether MLB scouts would have moved him past the senior-sign bargain rounds [S85, S87].
Stetson's coaching staff's decision to convert deGrom is now part of the program's origin myth: the same university that produced Corey Kluber (two-time Cy Young) converted its future Cy Young into a pitcher mid-career.
Stetson baseball — the Cy Young factoryThe MLB career — the short version
- 2014: NL Rookie of the Year — the oldest rookie pitcher since 1947 to win the award, at age 26.
- 2018: First Cy Young — a 1.70 ERA with 269 strikeouts over 217 innings. The ERA was the lowest by an NL starter since the Bob Gibson era.
- 2019: Second Cy Young — back-to-back, joining Sandy Koufax, Tim Lincecum, and a small club of repeat winners.
- 2023: Signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
DeLand landmarks in the deGrom story
- Stetson University baseball stadium — Melching Field at Conrad Park, the field where deGrom pitched his draft-year innings.
- DeLand Memorial Hospital — the historic building where deGrom was born.
- DeLeon Springs — his childhood hometown, 6 miles north.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Jacob deGrom from?
- DeLand, Florida. He was born in DeLand on June 19, 1988, and grew up in nearby DeLeon Springs. [S85]
- Did Jacob deGrom go to Stetson?
- Yes. He played college baseball at Stetson University in DeLand (2008–2010). [S85, S87]
- What position did Jacob deGrom play in college?
- He entered Stetson as a shortstop and converted to pitcher in his junior year. [S85]
- How many Cy Youngs has Jacob deGrom won?
- Two — 2018 and 2019, back-to-back, both with the New York Mets. [S85]
- What year did Jacob deGrom make his MLB debut?
- May 15, 2014, for the New York Mets. [S85, S86]
- Did Jacob deGrom go to DeLand High School?
- No — he attended Calvary Christian Academy in Ormond Beach, not DeLand High. He was born in DeLand and attended college at Stetson (DeLand). [S85]