LA Angels: Young arms set to lead Halos’ 2022 rotation

Headlining this group is the Angels’ top pitching prospect Reid Detmers (21).

After three years of dominating the ACC as part of the Louisville Cardinals, the Angels drafted the lefty 10th overall in 2020, subsequently fast tracking his path to majors by starting him off in Double-A Rocket City.

Though he may be raw, Detmers might just evolve into a bona fide ace.

Showcasing elite command of his mid-90s fastball and wicked curveball, Detmers has the potential to be one of the deadliest strikeout threats in Major League Baseball.

In his last two starts, he went six innings each and set career highs in strikeouts with 14 on June 20 and a whopping 16 on the 26th.

Granted, he’s also had trouble with walks and the longball this season.

Case in point, he walked three in just 2.2 innings against Birmingham back in May 30, and surrendered three home runs in his 16-strikeout game. These issues are the primary contributing factor in Detmers’ unspectacular 3.95 ERA this season.

Worry not, however, as these problems should go away with time. After all, Detmers does only have nine professional starts under his belt.

Whether or not he can truly get these problems under control may be the difference in Detmers topping out as a middle of the rotation guy, or a true top-end starter.

While there is still a chance that he might get a cup of coffee with the team as a reliever by the end of this year, 2022 is the real target for Detmers to really make his mark.