DeLAND, Fla. – Former Stetson baseball standout Jacob deGrom added another milestone to his decorated Major League career Thursday night, becoming the 95th pitcher in MLB history to record 2,000 career strikeouts.
The Texas Rangers ace reached the milestone at Globe Life Field against the Washington Nationals, striking out each of the first two batters he faced. deGrom recorded No. 2,000 by getting Abimelec Ortiz to swing and miss in the opening inning before acknowledging the crowd with a tip of his cap.
The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner became just the ninth active pitcher to reach 2,000 career strikeouts and the second to accomplish the feat this season.
deGrom reached the milestone in just his 272nd career game and 1,661st inning pitched. Both marks rank second-fastest in Major League history. Only Hall of Famer Randy Johnson reached 2,000 strikeouts in fewer games, doing so in 262, while Chris Sale is the only pitcher to reach the mark in fewer innings at 1,626.
The right-hander also became the third pitcher in Rangers history to record his 2,000th career strikeout while wearing a Texas uniform, joining Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins in 1974 and Cole Hamels in 2016.
Before establishing himself as one of the premier pitchers of his generation, deGrom starred for the Hatters from 2008-10. Originally a shortstop, the DeLand native transitioned to the mound during his collegiate career before being selected by the New York Mets in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
deGrom made his Major League debut with the Mets in 2014 and was named National League Rookie of the Year that season. He went on to win back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019 and has earned multiple All-Star selections during his career.
He signed with the Rangers ahead of the 2023 season and helped Texas capture the first World Series championship in franchise history that fall.
deGrom's milestone also gives Stetson a second notable Major League strikeout achievement this season. Former Hatter Logan Gilbert surpassed 1,000 career strikeouts earlier this summer with the Seattle Mariners, continuing a remarkable run of pitching success by Stetson alumni at the Major League level.
With strikeout No. 2,000, deGrom adds another achievement to a professional career that began on the fields of DeLand and has developed into one of the most accomplished by a former Hatter.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
