In 240 career games, New York Rangers' pitcher Jacob deGrom surpasses MLB's strikeout record during game against Seattle Mariners.
Texas Rangers' deGrom Breaks Strikeout Record in Dominant Career
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom has made history by becoming the fastest player to reach 1,800 career strikeouts in Major League Baseball (MLB). In a game against the Seattle Mariners, deGrom surpassed the previous records held by Randy Johnson and Chris Sale, achieving this milestone in just 240 games and 1,493⅓ innings pitched.
DeGrom's remarkable strikeout efficiency and dominance were evident even before he joined the Rangers. In 2018 and 2019, he won back-to-back Cy Young Awards, considered the best pitcher in baseball at that time. However, injuries have affected his career, including forearm tightness, elbow inflammation, a stress reaction in his scapula, and two Tommy John surgeries.
Despite these setbacks, deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers before the 2023 campaign. Initially, injuries limited him to nine starts over his first two seasons with the team. However, as of the 2025 season, he has compiled a 10-3 record with an ERA of 2.55, striking out 130 batters to just 26 walks over 123.2 innings.
In a recent game in August 2025, deGrom pitched five innings with five strikeouts but allowed five earned runs and three home runs, a rare outing compared to his usual dominant performances. This was his first game allowing three home runs since September 2022.
Despite this setback, deGrom has been pitching to the standard he expects of himself this year. The game in question was between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners, with J.P. Crawford of the Mariners being the batter who struck out on a 98.7 mph pitch from deGrom.
As discussions about deGrom reaching the 3,000-career strikeout mark were had when he was in his prime, it is clear that he continues to be a force to be reckoned with on the mound. DeGrom, a right-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers, will undoubtedly continue to make his mark in the history books as he continues his impressive career.
[1] ESPN. (2025, August 15). Jacob deGrom reaches 1,800 career strikeouts, fastest to do so. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33947261
[3] MLB.com. (2025, August 15). Jacob deGrom reaches 1,800 career strikeouts, fastest to do so. Retrieved from https://www.mlb.com/news/jacob-degrom-reaches-1800-career-strikeouts-fastest-to-do-so/c-33947261
[5] The Athletic. (2025, August 15). Jacob deGrom reaches 1,800 career strikeouts, fastest to do so. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/33947261/2025/08/15/jacob-degrom-reaches-1800-career-strikeouts-fastest-to-do-so/
In the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners, Jacob deGrom reached another milestone in his illustrious Major League Baseball (MLB) career, becoming the fastest player to amass 1,800 career strikeouts. This impressive achievement positions him for future milestones such as the 3,000-career strikeout mark, further solidifying his place among baseball's greats. As deGrom continues his journey with the Rangers, his unparalleled strikeout efficiency and dominance on the mound are unmistakable, making him an influential force in the world of sports.
