Gerrit Cole vs Jacob deGrom: Who is New York’s Finest?
Jacob deGrom has been the best pitcher in New York for years. However, Gerrit Cole is coming for that title. Who will win?
Jacob deGrom has been the undisputed king of New York’s starting pitchers since his 2014 debut. However, the New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history. Who will win in the battle of the heavyweights?
As we get closer to the 2020 MLB season, there are two different storylines are unfolding in New York. In the Bronx, the Yankees come into the year with a World Series-or-bust mentality following a heartbreaking loss to the Houston Astros in the ALCS. They expect their expensive new ace Cole to finally take them back to the fall classic in October.
In Queens, the Mets look to bounce back from a disappointing season and reach their postseason-level potential under new manager Luis Rojas. deGrom looks to continue his dominance and further build his Hall of Fame resume.
Among fans, however, a new debate has arisen: Who is the true ace of New York? In early February, MLB Network released its annual Top 100 Players Right Now list, where they ranked Cole and deGrom 7th and 8th respectively (1st and 2nd among starting pitchers). Placing Cole above deGrom irked Mets fans, and sparked a fierce debate among the two fanbases.
So, does Cole deserve to be named the de-facto ace of New York over deGrom before throwing a pitch in pinstripes? Well, let’s break down the numbers.
Gerrit Cole vs Jacob deGrom: Who is New York’s Finest?
2019 performance
Gerrit Cole entered the offseason as the prized starting pitcher in MLB free agency history, and deservedly so. In 2019, his best season by far, he posted a 2.50 ERA in 212.1 innings pitched. He lead the league with 326 strikeouts- the most by any pitcher since Randy Johnson in 2002.
He also led the league in ERA+ (185) and strikeouts/9 (13.8). He also pitched to a 20-5 record, but we are going to ignore wins and losses when comparing Cole and deGrom.
In 2019, Jacob deGrom was coming off one of the most dominant seasons by a pitcher in recent memory. He earned 99% of first-place votes in Cy Young voting after pitching to a ridiculous 1.70 ERA, 218 ERA+, and 1.98 FIP.
How did deGrom follow up his Cy Young campaign? With another one in 2019. While he did not replicate his impossibly incredible 2018 season, deGrom still posted a 2.43 ERA, 255 strikeouts, and 2.67 FIP.
While Cole got snubbed by his ex-teammate, Justin Verlander, of his first-ever Cy Young Award, the numbers show that Cole was the more dominant pitcher in 2019. DeGrom got the hardware, but Cole got the record-breaking contract for his performance.
Advantage: Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole vs Jacob deGrom: Who is New York’s Finest?
Career numbers
Cole and deGrom are at very similar points in their career, as they are entering their 8th and 7th seasons respectively. When comparing their career numbers, one thing that pops off the stat sheet is their remarkable durability. In each of the past three season, they have both tossed over 200 innings in over 30 starts.
However, deGrom has been more consistent throughout his career. He won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2014 after posting a stellar 2.69 ERA in 22 starts, and he has never looked back. His “worst” season was in 2017, where he had his lowest ERA, 3.53. However, he was still one of the top pitchers in the league and finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting. As a whole, his career numbers are nothing short of extraordinary. He has a career ERA of 2.62 with 1255 strikeouts and 1.053 WHIP. If deGrom can maintain a steady level of play, he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer with those numbers.
Cole has dealt with a few speed bumps on his way to becoming one of the best pitchers in the league. He broke into the league at 22 with the Pirates, where he immediately displayed his potential. He broke out in 2015, his third season in the league, where he went 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA and fourth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting.
However, in 2016 Cole lost his groove. Possibly due to injuries, Cole saw a significant dip in his strikeout prowess in 2016. He K% decreased from 24.3% to 19.4%, and his batting average on balls in play (BABIP) inflated to .345. While he seemingly got worse in 2017, posting a career-low 4.26 ERA, his strikeout metrics were trending back up, and now he is the best strikeout pitcher in the league. He currently has a 3.22 career ERA with 1336 strikeouts and 1.129 WHIP.
While Cole is just reaching his prime, deGrom’s remarkable consistency is unmatched when paired with his recent dominance. Cole has more to prove, while deGrom has already cemented his legacy.
Advantage: Jacob deGrom
Gerrit Cole vs Jacob deGrom: Who is New York’s Finest?
Beyond the numbers
When debating the King of New York, there are factors outside of baseball that contribute to one taking the throne. First is one’s ability to navigate the media.
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Interestingly, this is another area where Cole and deGrom are similar. They both emit a very calm and quiet persona that does not take away from their competitiveness on the mound. DeGrom has done an incredible job of staying out of the limelight in an organization that has been full of drama throughout his career. Cole hasn’t faced a booing home crowd in the Bronx yet, but he has said all the right things thus far. In the ALCS, he proved he can dominate in Yankee Stadium in October.
The next factor the ability to connect with the fanbase. Jacob deGrom is a home-grown Met, and has become one of the most beloved members of the Mets organization. He has been incredible on the field with the Mets, and he has never said the wrong thing. He appears as though he wants to be a Met for life, and the fans are willing to have him. Cole, on the other hand, is entering his first season in New York. However, Yankee fans have welcomed him with open arms, and are relying on him to carry them to the World Series. Cole embraces the pressure, and has always wanted to be a Yankee.
With his 9 year contract, Cole has plenty of time to cement himself as a Yankee legend. However, deGrom is already a Mets legend, so he gets the edge here.
Advantage: Jacob deGrom
Verdict
Jacob deGrom and Gerrit Cole have had two remarkably similar careers, and now they get to share the centerstage in New York City. Being a member of the Yankees, Cole will undoubtedly get more media attention than deGrom, especially since the Yankees are expected to win big this year. If he performs like he has the past two seasons, he very well might become the King of New York. However, right now the crown belongs to deGrom. At 31 years old, deGrom does not plan on slowing down anytime soon. He has spent his entire career with the Mets, enduring the ups and downs that come with being a Met. Now, he is their 2-time Cy Young and the face of their franchise, and the undisputed King of New York’s starting pitchers.
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Cole is still just 29, and his best years could still be ahead of him. He will fight for that crown, and while he does, Yankee and Mets fans will debate for years to come.
New York’s Finest: Jacob deGrom