​Jacob deGrom took his time reaching the big leagues. A shortstop player in college, he didn’t commit to pitching full-time until he was a minor leaguer in the New York Mets’ system more than a decade ago.Since then, he hasn’t looked back.MORE: Mariners make huge Kade Anderson decision ahead of Cubs seriesDeGrom’s latest milestone: the 2,000th strikeout of his career, which he recorded by fanning Washington Nationals first baseman Abimelec Ortiz at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 20.Only one pitcher in baseball history has reached the milestone in fewer innings: Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale, who recorded his 2,000th strikeout in 1,626 innings. DeGrom needed 1,661.MORE: Yankees’ Aaron Judge takes big step forward in injury rehabOrtiz had barely reached his own dugout when the Texas Rangers put out a graphic on social media touting deGrom’s milestone as part of his “Hall of Fame resumé.”That might be premature; deGrom doesn’t have 50 career Wins Above Replacement, while the “average” Hall of Fame pitcher has 73. But in an era when injuries are more likely than ever to shorten a pitcher’s longevity, deGrom’s 13 seasons as one of the best starters in baseball is impressive.MORE: Blue Jays cut knuckleball pitcher in roster shakeupDeGrom is the 95th pitcher ever to strike out 2,000 batters in a career. He needed only two strikeouts to accomplish the feat in the start against the Nationals, and he got it out of the way quickly by striking out the first two batters of the game.Entering the game, deGrom was 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 23 starts. His 99 ERA+ would be the lowest in any season since his 2014 debut with the Mets.Don’t tell the Rangers, who have struggled to keep pace in the American League West and AL wild-card races amid injuries to starters Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter. No pitcher has a lower ERA than deGrom and only Eovaldi has won more games (10).DeGrom might be past his peak. But with two years left on the $185 million contract he signed prior to the 2023 season, the Rangers hope he has a few more strikeouts left in the tank.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —