As the July 30 MLB trade deadline approaches, the Cleveland Guardians are widely anticipated to seek out one or two starting pitchers to bolster their roster. Although hopes of acquiring Garrett Crochet may now seem unlikely, there remains a range of potential candidates on the market.
One such prospect is Reid Detmers, a left-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels, whom the Guardians are reportedly targeting, according to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports. Detmers is one of several pitchers that postseason-bound teams are exploring.
At first glance, Detmers’ statistics may not seem particularly promising. This season, he has posted a 3-7 record with a troubling 6.14 ERA over 12 starts. His struggles have continued in Triple-A, where he has amassed a 6.49 ERA in eight appearances. Despite these underwhelming numbers, there is optimism that Detmers could turn his career around with the right adjustments.
Detmers, who is just 25 years old, has shown potential in the past. His impressive strikeout ability is evident from his 70 strikeouts in 63 innings this season. In the previous year, he finished with a 4-10 record but a more respectable 4.48 ERA, striking out 168 batters in 148.2 innings. His performance in 2021 also demonstrated promise, with five starts to his name, and his 2022 season highlighted further potential as he went 7-6 with a 3.77 ERA.
A key attribute of Detmers’ game is his strikeout rate. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings, and his career average stands at 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings. These numbers suggest that he has the capability to be a significant contributor if he can refine other aspects of his pitching.
However, Detmers has struggled with command, as evidenced by his nearly four walks per nine innings this year. This issue has impacted his performance and may be a factor in his recent struggles.
For the Guardians, taking a chance on a pitcher like Detmers could be a wise move. Despite his current difficulties, his evident talent and potential for improvement make him an intriguing option. A change of environment could be exactly what he needs to revitalize his career.
Nevertheless, relying solely on Detmers to address the Guardians’ pitching needs before the trade deadline could be problematic. Ideally, the Guardians would consider acquiring multiple pitchers to strengthen their rotation comprehensively. This approach would mitigate the risk of placing too much reliance on one player who is currently underperforming.
In summary, while Reid Detmers presents an intriguing possibility for the Cleveland Guardians, particularly given his strikeout potential and past performances, he should not be the only pitcher they target. The Guardians are better served by exploring a range of options to enhance their pitching staff as they approach the critical trade deadline.
