Scout’s Video View: 2020 MLB Draft Prospect Reid Detmers

While the game is away, Baseball America is digging into its video database and asking scouts around the game to analyze what they see from some of the sport’s best prospects. Today’s subject is Louisville lefthander Reid Detmers.

Detmers is arguably the most polished pitcher in the 2020 class. While he doesn’t have the loudest pure stuff, he has a long track record of well above-average strikethrowing and as such, scouts believe he is one of the highest floor prospects in the 2020 class.

In more than two seasons with Louisville, Detmers has posted a 3.53 ERA with 231 strikeouts (12.75 per nine) and 61 walks (3.37 per nine) in 163 innings. You can find his full scouting report here.

SCOUT: In the first videos, it looks like Detmers has an unathletic, lumbering delivery. In these videos, the curveball looks more like a get-me-over type of pitch and the fastball has a little sneakiness to it. He doesn’t appear to havve much feel for his slider, and the same goes for his changeup. In these views, he looks like a back-end starter reminiscent of Brian Johnson.

In the video from 2020, however, I see much more to like. His delivery looks more powerful and he shows more arm speed. Here, the curveball easily projects as a plus pitch. The fastball has late life and jumps on hitters. He also looks much more athletic here as well. In these views he appears to have much more impact potential and would fit well in rotation as a No. 4 starter or better.