Reid Detmers Recounts Rocket City Debut, Major League Glory

Reid Detmers’ name is all over the Rocket City Trash Pandas record book. In 2021, the lefty made his professional debut for the Trash Pandas, starting both the first game in franchise history and the first game ever at Toyota Field.

Detmers dominated during his brief stint in the Rocket City. In 12 starts, the southpaw struck out 97 over 54.0 innings, earning a promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake. In August 2021, he eventually became the first former Trash Pandas player to make his MLB debut.

Since then, Detmers has become a staple in the Angels’ rotation, showing the same stuff that made him a star in the Rocket City to baffle Major League hitters. On May 10, 2022 Detmers entered Major League history when he pitched the 12^th no-hitter in Angels history, recording two strikeouts and one walk in a 12-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, dominating from start to finish. He became the youngest Angels pitcher to throw a no-hitter, doing so in just his 11^th career start.

Recently, we caught up with Detmers to talk about the jump to the show, making Major League history, and his memories from his time with the Trash Pandas.

Q: How would you describe your time with the Trash Pandas?
A: It was awesome. Trash Panda Nation is awesome. Being the first pitcher to pitch at that ballpark was an awesome experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I have nothing but great memories from my time with the Trash Pandas.

Q: What are some lessons you learned with the Trash Pandas that you kept with you when you got to the Angels?
A: I had a lot of growing up to do. I had a lot to learn about pitching. How to pitch, how to sequence pitches. Jay (Bell, Trash Pandas Manager) did a great job of letting me do my thing and (Michael )Wuertz did a great job with me on the pitching side. He taught me a lot. We sat down every day almost and went over things, how we’re going to attack people. I hadn’t made my own scouting reports before but by the time I left the Trash Pandas I was making my own scouting reports.

Q: A number of the players that you were with in Rocket City in 2021 have been with you on the Angels recently. How is it to go through that experience together?
A: It’s cool. The more guys you know that you’ve played with, the more comfortable you get. It’s an easier transition if you know the guys you’re playing with. That makes it a little more comfortable and it’s awesome seeing everyone come up together through the system.

Q: In Spring Training, you got to pitch against Clayton Kershaw. How would you describe that experience?
A: It’s awesome. Kershaw was my idol growing up. To be able to pitch against him was an amazing experience. I thought it was cool to see his routine before the game, see what he does before the game, how he prepares, and when he gets on the mound how he locks in. It is truly amazing.

Q: You became the youngest Angel to throw a no-hitter. What is it like to experience that moment which so few have done in baseball history?
A: It was a cool experience. It was something you dream of as a kid, but you never think is going to happen. It’s one of those dreams that you hope it happens and it’s really cool if it happens. Bat at the same time you don’t think it’s going to happen. It’s a moment I’ll never forget the rest of my life. It was a crazy experience and I’m truly blessed.