The Reds have signed lefty Ross Detwiler to a minor league contract, per Baseball America’s Chris Hilburn-Trenkle. The CAA client hasn’t yet been assigned to an affiliate, but his deal with the team is also reflected on the Reds’ transactions log at MLB.com.
Detwiler, 36, split the 2021 season between the Marlins and Padres, working to a combined 4.64 ERA with a 27.1% strikeout rate, an 8.7% walk rate and a 39.9% ground-ball rate in 52 1/3 innings. Detwiler made five starts, albeit working primarily as an opener, though his work to kick off games did not go well. The well-traveled southpaw notched a 2.82 ERA as a reliever while holding opponents to an awful .186/.287/.311 batting line. As a starter, he tossed 7 2/3 innings and was clobbered for 13 runs on 14 hits (seven homers) and three walks, with opponents batting .378/.439/1.054.
The former No. 6 overall draft pick has had plenty of experience pitching both out of rotations and bullpens in the big leagues, but he’s been far more effective as a reliever late in his career. That goes beyond just the 2021 season; Detwiler had a nice year with the White Sox in 2020, tossing 19 2/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA out of the bullpen. Dating back to 2018, Detwiler has a 4.12 ERA, 22.1% strikeout rate and 8.2% walk rate in 83 innings as a reliever. Working as a starter in that time, he’s been tagged for a 6.96 ERA with just a 15.9% strikeout rate.
While Detwiler could technically give the Reds some rotation depth at a time when both Luis Castillo and Mike Minor are on the injured list, that recent track record makes him seem far likelier to serve as left-handed bullpen depth. Justin Wilson is currently the only lefty reliever in manager David Bell’s bullpen, and Cincinnati doesn’t have another lefty option on the 40-man roster. Former Rockies reliever Phillip Diehl is in Triple-A Louisville, and Detwiler seems likely to join him there as an upper-level option once he gets built up.
Nice.
1919 over White Sox
1940 over Tigers
1975 over Red Sox
1976 over Yankees
1990 over Athletics
2044 over Royals
2087 over Angels
Gotta love the Minor League Transaction window in Baseball America…Derick Dietrich LIVES!!! (signs with Yankees).. Former Red Sox top 10 prospect C.J. Chatham sent packing by Arizona. Lotsa familiar names.
Kind of surprised Detwiler wasn’t picked up until now. He wasn’t that bad last year. 13 of the 27 earned runs he gave up were when he was used as a starter. As a reliever, he had a 2.82 ERA, held opponents to a .582 OPS, and had a 28.2% K-rate/9% walk rate.
A RossDetweiler – I had one of those dogs… very loyal
Debtwhiler slotted in Minor’s spot shows they made major mistake in trade for Mike.
9 years of service at the moment. Stick to relieving and you’ll probably get to 10.
Does 19 and a partial inning really count as a year?
Reds owners trying to fill the seats! Crappy owner adding crappy players!
Fill the seats! Legions of Ross Detwiler fans are already queuing up at the ticket window.
In a corresponding roster moves the Reds placed Detwiler on the injured list