MLB New York Mets

5 Reasons Why Jacob deGrom Will Win 2014 NL Rookie of the Year

5 Reasons Why Jacob deGrom Will Win 2014 NL Rookie of the Year

Jacob deGrom
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Another year, another New York Mets starting pitcher making waves in the league. Much like Matt Harvey and R.A. Dickey before him, Jacob deGrom became must-see television for any Mets fan. He wasn't the most highly-touted pitching prospect in the Mets' farm system, but the former shortstop took the league by storm this year and became a top of the rotation starter. Here are five reasons why he should win Rookie of the Year.

5. Top Rookie Pitcher

Jacob deGrom
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5. Top Rookie Pitcher

Jacob deGrom
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It's not even close. When you start comparing other rookie starting pitchers in 2014, deGrom was the best by far. He made 22 starts for a team that desperately needed an innings-eater, and he boasted an ERA of 2.69, more than one run below the next closest rookie. His nine wins tied Chase Anderson for the National League lead as well.

4. Second Half Performance

Jacob deGrom
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4. Second Half Performance

Jacob deGrom
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It took deGrom seven starts to earn his first win of the season, but once he did, he never looked back. He earned his first win of the season on June 21 against the Miami Marlins. From that moment on, he was nearly unhittable. There was only once that he didn't give the Mets a quality start. He gave the Mets a chance to win every time he took the mound, as he lowered his ERA from 3.75 to 2.69 over that stretch.

3. His Competition

Jacob deGrom
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3. His Competition

Jacob deGrom
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With respect to Kolten Wong and Billy Hamilton, they didn't have the same type of year that deGrom had for the Mets. He is the only pitcher with in the group, and he boasts a WAR of 3.14, much higher than Wong and Hamilton. Neither player had a batting average of more than .250 and the same on-base percentage of .292. While good seasons, they don't match up to deGrom's great season.

2. Genuine Excitement

Jacob deGrom
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2. Genuine Excitement

Jacob deGrom
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I touched on this earlier, but deGrom became must-see television just because of the fact that he had the stuff to toss a no-hitter every time out. He was that good this season. It's not unusual for a rookie to produce a ton of hype, but it is a little more unusual for him to live up to it. deGrom did this season.

1. One of the Best Pitchers in the Game

Jacob deGrom
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1. One of the Best Pitchers in the Game

Jacob deGrom
Getty Images

If you really want to know how good deGrom was this season, just stack him up against some of the best pitchers in the game. Forget his nine wins, and just look at his ERA. His ERA of 2.69 ranks him among the top 10 in 2014, and his 1.14 WHIP would rank him 11th this year. So not only was deGrom the best rookie in the National League, he was one of the best pitchers in the league.

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