Mets aces make their spring debuts to mostly positive results

By Bryan Carroll

Mar 7, 2017

Mar 2, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33), starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) walk to the dugout prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jacob deGrom had the best return of any of the four starters so far this spring. deGrom was dominant in two scoreless innings.

deGrom allowed no runs, with no walks, and three strikeouts. All of it was done on only 26 pitches against Houston.

However, the best part, deGrom’s velocity. The stadium scoreboard flashed 97 MPH for multiple Jacob deGrom fastballs.

Mark Simon, of ESPN, said that last season deGrom only threw three pitches of 96.5 MPH or more last season in 24 starts. In 2015, Jake threw 254 pitches of that variety.

When deGrom is on, he has his high-90’s, rising fastball. Last season, as stated, deGrom didn’t have his overpowering fastball. Throughout the beginning of the season it was said to just be from fatigue due to the World Series in 2015.

Towards the end of the season, we found out it wasn’t just fatigue. Having deGrom’s speed return was a major key for me in seeing him back to the way we’ve seen before.

DeGrom was tremendous in his return to the mound. He had everything clicking, and now that the nerve in his elbow is healed, he clearly feels better.

When deGrom has his overpowering fastball is when he has his best stuff. That was obvious on Saturday when deGrom took on the Astros. Jacob had his control intact and was mowing through hitters.