Where's Texas Rangers 'Unicorn' Jacob deGrom Rank Among Aces?
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Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom is considered an ace. But just how much of an ace?
The Athletic attempted to figure it out with its Aces Project article released Thursday.
The publication ranked 81 pitchers into five tiers as rated by a collection of 20 executives, analysts and scouts. The scale was 1 to 5, with one being an ace and 5 being just a pitcher and nothing more.
Only one pitcher got into the article’s Inner Circle — in other words, every ranker considered this pitcher an ace. That was New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander who, theoretically, replaced deGrom after he signed with the Rangers.
deGrom ranked No. 7, which in the context of this article makes him an ace. He received a rating of 91.5 (out of 100) with 12 of the 20 voters ranking him as an ace.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy hinted that deGrom would start Opening Day.
The quotes from those who participated were mixed. One called him a “unicorn.” Another said “He’s a No. 1 and he scares the daylights out of me.”
But given deGrom’s injury history — especially the past two seasons — one voter said, “Can’t trust it” and another said, “Third season removed from being an ace. Availability has to be factored in.”
So did any other Rangers make the list?
Nope. deGrom was the only one.
The Athletic selected the Top 60 ranked pitchers according to FanGraphs and the Athletic selected 21 more relevant pitchers.
deGrom made his first Major League spring game appearance Sunday and threw three scoreless innings.
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- Rangers Ace deGrom Honest Thoughts on Pitch Clock, Organization
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