Reid Detmers silenced the Rangers with six scoreless innings, extending an elite mid-summer surge that could force a difficult trade decision for the Angels’ front office this offseason.
The Los Angeles Angels may have lost to the division rival Texas Rangers in extra innings on Friday night, but their ace put up another dominant performance in what’s been a red-hot stretch since mid-July.
Left-hander Reid Detmers took the mound for his 26th start of the year last night in Arlington, tossing six scoreless innings in 89 pitches. The Rangers managed six hits and drew just one walk against the southpaw, who struck out five.
Though Detmers kept the Rangers’ lineup at bay, he received no run support from an Angels lineup that didn’t touch home until the 10th inning. Still, Detmers’ outing was a continuation of his elite late-summer play.
Since his start against the Detroit Tigers on July 17, Detmers has earned a 1.56 ERA and 0.89 WHIP while striking out 49 batters in 40 ⅓ innings. In only one of these seven starts did the 27-year-old allow three runs. Last night, however, was his third start since July 17 in which he went for at least six innings and didn’t allow a run to score.
Detmers has shown inconsistency at times, for example in May earlier this season, but stretches like this one are why the former first-round selection was a hot commodity at this year’s trade deadline. The Angels opted to trade Jose Soriano and keep Detmers in Anaheim, but his recent play could tempt even more clubs to inquire about the southpaw this offseason.
The Angels’ front office will have to decide whether or not Detmers is included in their plans, as they listened to offers for him earlier this month. They didn't take any offers, but that doesn't mean they’re fully committed for 2027 and beyond.
After this season, Detmers will still have two more years of team control, making him one of baseball’s most valuable arms. The Halos don’t look like they’ll be ready to compete in just a couple of years, so it could be in their best interest to strike a deal to send him to a contender this offseason in exchange for a couple of promising prospects.
From an outside perspective, a deal makes sense, but it would be a tough pill for Angels fans to swallow if it materializes. After all, Detmers was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft to be the next ace of a club that desperately needed pitching help.
He came in and impressed from the jump, even throwing the twelfth no-hitter in franchise history in 2022. There were some downs along the way, leading to a bullpen role just last season, but Detmers earned himself a spot right back in the rotation for 2026 and hasn't looked back.
Despite a career year, Detmers has a record of four wins and eight losses this season, an injustice to the type of impact he has on the rubber. His career-best numbers in hits and walks per nine innings have helped him earn a pitching run value that puts him in the 94th percentile.
While Detmers may be getting more attention during his recent hot stretch, his ability has never been a question for Angels fans. When he’s able to put it all together, there’s no doubt that Detmers is the ace the Angels have been looking for. Let us all appreciate Detmers every time he steps on the mound in an Angels uniform, as it may not be the case for much longer.
