It’s what the Nationals want to see in the future: a stud left-hander baffling the opposition in 35-degree weather, also known as playoff weather. So when they watched Ross Detwiler do just that in a game earlier this season, they were convinced of one thing.
They had their man.
And Thursday they got him, drafting the Missouri State pitcher with the sixth overall pick.
The Nationals picked another lefty with their second choice, 6-foot-2 Josh Smoker, whose fastball has touched 94 mph, from Calhoun High School in Sugar Valley, Ga. Calhoun struck out 100 and allowed only 12 hits in 44 innings this spring.
The Nats, who thought Smoker would go higher, project him to be a No. 3 pitcher. Washington is not sure yet where Detwiler will report if and when he signs.
Detwiler, a left-hander who has relatives in the Virginia suburbs, was 4-5 with a 2.22 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 89 innings. He’s the second highest draft pick ever out of the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Nats like that he’s 6-foot-5, giving him enough of a frame to comfortably bulk up from his present weight of 185 pounds. They also like that he has what they consider three quality pitches: a fastball that can touch 95 mph, a curve and a changeup. They project him as a No. 1, 2 or 3 pitcher who could join the majors as early asnext year.
“When you build a championship club you need starting pitching” said Director of Scouting Dana Brown.
Detwiler also pitched well in the Cape Cod League last summer, allowing two runs and striking out 14 in 10 1/3 innings. For Team USA that same summer, Detwiler went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA.
“He was their rock,” said Assistant General Manager Mike Rizzo said. “He was a big-time college pitcher who will be a big-time major league pitcher.”
But it was his outing against Dallas Baptist University in Frisco, Texas that stood out in their minds. On that frigid February day, Detwiler allowed two hits in seven innings and struck out 13.
“We’re sitting there thinking, ‘This is really good,’” said Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone.
“I couldn’t get a feeling for anything because my hands were so numb,” Detwiler said. Detwiler, who had offers from Clemson and Missouri among other schools, said he was simply a hard-thrower in high school.
“I never knew where the ball would go,” he said. “I’ve cut that down and that’s the biggest thing about my game. I compete and I know how to pitch.”
