Detmers Impresses In USA CNT Showing

CARY, N.C. — Louisville lefthander Reid Detmers struck out two batters in three scoreless innings as one of the standouts from Friday’s intrasquad game for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team.

The scrimmage marked the second of four Red vs. Blue games that will take place before the final 24-man roster begins its journey against the Coastal Plains League select team on Monday.

Detmers did not have any clean inning, but he worked around two hits in the first and single hits in the second and the third innings. He struck out two and walked no one. He used his 93-94 mph fastball to set up a solid breaking ball.

“These are really good hitters. Just have to go out there, pound the zone and let the defense work for you . . . That’s basically all you can do. Everything else will figure itself out,” Detmers said.

Current USA Collegiate National Team manager Dan McDonnell has seen a lot of Detmers over the last two years as the head coach of Louisville. Following Detmers’ start Friday night, McDonnell was once again impressed. 

“When he has the breaking ball going for a strike, that really allows the fastball to play up. You see a lot of swing and misses. These are the best hitters in the country and they made some adjustments and they competed. I thought they did, I hate to say it, but about as good as they can do against him,” McDonnell said.

Like many young American ballplayers, Detmers has dreamed of getting the chance to represent his country. 

 

“It’s an honor. It has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid. There is no better feeling than being out here with U.S.A. across your chest,” Detmers said. 

Detmers will get the opportunity to continue to represent the US as he is one of the eight players to have already secured a spot on the 24-man roster. As for the rest of the players, the decision will not be easy for McDonnell.

“Tonight tells me it is going to be hard, it’s really going to be hard . . . We said it after the first day, there is nobody who doesn’t belong here. These guys belong. It is neck and neck. We are going to have to let guys go that are deserving to be on the team,” McDonnell said. 

The team will continue its four-game series through the weekend before McDonnell faces the tough decision.