Angels Draft: What to know about 1st Round Pick Reid Detmers

The Los Angeles Angeles selected left-hander Reid Detmers with the 10th overall pick of the MLB Draft, and we discuss why fans should be excited.

The first round of the 2020 MLB Draft went down on Wednesday evening, with quite a few surprises shaking up the top 37 picks. After a few headscratchers at the top of the draft, the Los Angeles Angels turned into a beneficiary, landing Reid Detmers with the 10th overall pick.

The Baltimore Orioles threw the first wrench, reaching a bit and going for the under slot pick in Keston Kjerstad with the number two pick. The Miami Marlins then followed suit, grabbing right-hander Max Meyer third. That sent both Austin Martin and Asa Lacey down the draft board, and the dominoes started toppling from there. When the dust cleared and the Angels were able to make their selection at number ten, they didn’t hesitate to select the Louisville left-hander.

The Scouting Report on Reid Detmers

A left-hander out of the University of Louisville, Detmers is not going to light up radar guns like some of the other college arms selected on Wednesday night. Instead, he’s going to beat hitters by commanding a low-90s fastball, an above-average to plus change-up, and what many consider the best curveball in the draft. At 6’2″ and weighing 210 pounds, Detmers has a solid frame and a repeatable delivery.

According to MLB.com, Detmers fastball rates at 55 out of 60, not because of velocity but due to the way he commands the pitch and how well he hides it, allowing it to play faster than it is actually thrown. Likewise, his change-up is graded as a 50 and his curve as 55. The latter is a big, looping pitch, similar to Clayton Kershaw. He accentuates all of his offerings by featuring plus command, which rates 55 out of 60.

How Dominant was Reid Detmers in College?

Detmers fastball velocity kept him from being a prominent pick out of high school when he lasted into the 32nd round before the Braves selected him. However, he opted to go to Louisville rather than sign, and the move apparently paid off.

After going 4-2 in 18 games (8 starts) as a freshman, Detmers exploded onto the scene as a sophomore. In 113.1 innings over 19 games (18 starts), the lefty went 13-4 with a 2.78 ERA and allowed a minuscule .177 batting average against. He followed that up in the shortened 2020 season by going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA and a .193 BAA.

However, the thing that set Detmers apart was the strikeouts. Despite not having the big fastball, he used his excellent command and exceptional offspeed offerings to fan hitters to the tune of 11.16 K/9 as a freshman, 13.26 K/9 as a sophomore, and 19.64 K/9 as a junior.

What are the projections for Reid Detmers with the Angels?

The Angels system (and major league staff for that matter) are notoriously thin on pitching. Detmer’s advanced polish and demeanor on the mound could have him move through the system quickly. With a shortened season, expanded rosters, and the complete lack of a minor league season planned, the Angels could choose to add him to a taxi squad and perhaps give him an appearance or two in 2020 should the need arise. Otherwise, Detmers could be slated to be part of a proposed fall league expansion as well.

In terms of where he ranks in regards to the Angels top prospects, Detmers will likely slot in as the number two overall prospect, right behind Jo Adell. That speaks directly to how fast the Angels expect him to be part of the MLB roster, with a floor and ceiling likely close to a mid-rotation starter.

Who does Angels’ draft pick Reid Detmers compare to?

MLB.com was quick to compare him to fellow Louisville product Brendan McKay, the former two-way star now in the Rays system. Other outlets feel he’ll be more of an innings eater, like Mark Buehrle or Jose Quintana. The key will be how deceptive his pitches will remain against MLB hitters.

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Angels fans, are you happy with the team’s selection of Reid Detmers? Are you excited to potentially see him in the rotation soon?