Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom has earned the title of American League Comeback Player of the Year, as announced by MLB.com reporters during the recent MLB Awards show on MLB Network. This accolade acknowledges his remarkable return from two injury-plagued seasons, showcasing a stellar performance in the 2025 season.
DeGrom, who recently turned 37, posted an impressive record of 12–8 with a 2.97 ERA over 30 starts, leading the Rangers in key pitching metrics. His 0.92 WHIP not only set a new franchise record for any qualified pitcher but also surpassed the previous record held by legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan, who recorded a 1.01 WHIP in 1991.
This recognition comes shortly after deGrom was also honored as the A.L. Comeback Player of the Year at the MLB Players Association’s Players Choice Awards. Throughout the season, he demonstrated exceptional skills, striking out 185 batters in 172 2/3 innings, showcasing his enduring talent and resilience. DeGrom’s performance allowed him to represent the Rangers at the 2025 All-Star Game, highlighting his significant role on the team.
In his most recent outing on September 24 against the Minnesota Twins, deGrom allowed just one run over five innings, concluding one of the most remarkable seasons in Rangers history. He is now one of only eight pitchers in the franchise’s history to record a 30-start season with an ERA under 3.00, the first to achieve this feat since Martín Pérez in 2022. Moreover, deGrom is the first MLB pitcher since Ryan Dempster in 2008 to accomplish such a successful season after making three or fewer major league starts the previous year.
With a career ERA of 2.57, deGrom ranks third lowest in the Expansion Era among pitchers with at least 200 starts, trailing only the iconic Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw. His achievements are underscored by the fact that he has reached 30 starts for the first time since 2019, when he won the N.L. Cy Young Award while playing for the New York Mets.
DeGrom becomes the second player in Rangers history to receive this award since it was established in 2005, joining Prince Fielder, who won it in 2015. Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations, also received the honor in 2014 during his tenure with the Seattle Mariners. With his current trajectory, deGrom continues to be a beacon of hope for the Rangers’ future, demonstrating not only resilience but also the potential for continued excellence on the mound.