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
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 12th 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 11th 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.
Independence Week and Fourth of July Festival coming up at Toyota Field
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to announce a week-long Independence Day celebration as they host the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field from July 1-3. The festivities will include an Independence Eve Celebration and Fireworks, presented by SAIC, and a Fourth of July Festival culminating with
Fatherhood, Baseball, and Life Lessons
Baseball and fatherhood go hand in hand for many families across the country. Most boys learn the game from their dads, who often learn it from theirs, and so on. Both baseball and fatherhood require Leadership, planning, and teamwork. The relationship between the two goes much deeper than a game
Wednesday's doubleheader suspended, will resume on Thursday
Madison, Ala. – Game one of Wednesday's doubleheader between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Chattanooga Lookouts at Toyota Field has been suspended. This game will resume on Thursday at 4:05 pm, followed by a second seven-inning game approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first. On Wednesday,
Homestand Highlights: June 17-22 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas continue their longest homestand of the season as they close out the first half welcoming the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A affiliate, at Toyota Field for seven games over six days, from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22. The second
Trash Pandas show off their Butts, and win 4-1 over Blue Wahoos
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (24-35) kicked off a weekend celebration of Alabama's rich BBQ history on Friday night by playing as their alternate identity, the Bama Butts. They posted a 4-1 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-21) in front of 5,381 fans at Toyota Field.
Christian Moore Launched to the League
MADISON, Ala. – Former Trash Pandas infielder Christian Moore is headed to the majors after the Los Angeles Angels purchased his contract today. He becomes the 41st Trash Pandas player to make his major league debut. After a slow start to the season, Moore was riding a seven-game hitting streak
Pandas win second-straight over Wahoos, 5-4, on Thursday
MADISON, Ala. – On Thursday night at Toyota Field, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (23-35) captured their second consecutive victory, knocking off the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-30) 5-4. Mitch Farris struck out 10 batters over 6.1 innings, allowing the Pandas' offense to overcome a 3-0 deficit. The win gives Rocket
Pandas walk off Pensacola on Cole Fontenelle's 10th inning single
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (22-35) bounced back on Wednesday with a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (30-29), thanks to Cole Fontenelle's RBI single in the 10th inning. The Pandas out-hit the Blue Wahoos 12-11 and received another quality start from pitcher Walbert Ureña.
Hurtado stymies Barons 3-1 on Saturday night
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joel Hurtado (W, 5-4) delivered his team-best sixth quality start of the season on Saturday night, leading the Rocket City Trash Pandas (21-33) to a 3-1 victory over the Birmingham Barons (30-25). The win gives Rocket City a 3-2 advantage in the series, heading into the finale
Barons win slogfest over Trash Pandas 11-6
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Nelson Rada extended his league-leading on-base streak to 15 games on Friday night, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (20-33) fell 11-6, their second straight loss to the Birmingham Barons (30-24) at Regions Field. Rada recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-for-5 with a
Trash Pandas shut out Barons 1-0 in Rickwood Classic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (20-31) continued their winning ways on Wednesday afternoon, grabbing a 1-0 victory over the Birmingham Barons (28-24) during the Rickwood Classic. With this win, the Trash Pandas improved to 6-2 over their last eight games and took a 2-0 lead in the
Pandas start road trip with extra-inning win over Barons
The Rocket City Trash Pandas (19-31) started their six-game road series in Birmingham on Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory over the Birmingham Barons (28-23) in 10 innings. This win improved the Pandas' record to 5-2 in their last seven games as the series moves to historic Rickwood Field on
Sam Aldegheri recalled by Angels, Blankenhorn begins rehab assignment
MADISON, Ala. – The Los Angeles Angels made the following roster moves on Monday, impacting the Rocket City Trash Pandas. They have recalled left-handed pitcher Sam Aldegheri, who will be joining the team in Boston. Additionally, outfielder Travis Blankenhorn has begun a rehabilitation assignment with the ACL Angels. This season,
Trash Pandas beat Shuckers 2-1 on Saturday behind Hurtado, homers and 7,162 fans at Toyota Field
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (18-30) picked up a 2-1 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers (29-21) on Saturday night, thanks to two solo home runs and a quality start from Joel Hurtado. The win secured the series victory for the Trash Pandas, as they have taken four
Streaking Pandas sweep doubleheader from Shuckers
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (17-29) swept a doubleheader against the Biloxi Shuckers (28-20) on Thursday night at Toyota Field, winning game one 2-1 and game two 4-1. The sweep extended their winning streak to three games, taking a 3-0 series lead over the first-place Shuckers. Rocket
Bullpen comes up big in 3-2 win over Shuckers
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (15-29) returned to Toyota Field for the first time since May 11 and picked up a 3-2 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers (28-18) on Wednesday night. All three of the Pandas' runs came in the fifth inning, ignited by a solo home
Welcome Home: Daly returns to the Rocket City
Mitch Daly’s baseball career started in Madison as a Bob Jones Patriot before taking him to Texas, Kentucky, and the rest of the country, chasing his dream of playing in the Major Leagues. Wednesday marks his return to Madison, making his home debut for the Rocket City Trash Pandas after
Trash Pandas Unveil Two New Alternate Identities: The Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce
MADISON, Ala. – Barbecue in Alabama isn't just food—it's part of our identity. The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to announce two new alternate identities for 2025, the Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce! The identities will be unleashed and the team will wear these specialty uniforms during a
Homestand Highlights: May 27 - June 1 vs. Biloxi Shuckers
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their fourth homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate Biloxi Shuckers, May 28 – June 1. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Wednesday, May 28 | First Pitch: 6:35
Toyota Field welcomes summer with a variety of events for fans of all ages
MADISON, Ala. – Toyota Field is thrilled to welcome summer with a variety of events for fans of all ages. Kicking off today at 4:00 pm, the Trash Pandas will host The Big Ol' Ballpark Fair and Yoga in the Outfield. Other upcoming events include the rescheduled Rocket City Spring
Pandas use six-run sixth to earn late-night win on Saturday in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (14-28) endured a 69-minute rain delay on Saturday night in Chattanooga and then utilized a six-run sixth inning to secure an 8-5 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts (21-22). The Trash Pandas recorded 11 hits and worked nine walks in a game that
Lookouts' gaffe, Guzman's blast lifts Rocket City to 7-5 win
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (13-27) secured a 7-5 victory against the Chattanooga Lookouts (20-21) on Thursday night at AT&T Field, snapping their four-game losing streak. The win featured home runs from Josh Crouch and Denzer Guzman, along with five unearned runs scored in the sixth inning.
Big Ol' Ballpark Fair returns to Toyota Field, May 15-25
MADISON, Alabama – The Rocket City Trash Pandas have partnered with Kissel Entertainment for the sixth annual Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair in the Toyota Field parking lot from Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 25. The Fair will be closed on Monday, May 19. Similar to previous years, the Big
Rada runs wild on Friday, but Lookouts beat Pandas 4-2
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Nelson Rada became the first player in Double-A this season to steal 20 bases on Friday night, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (13-28) lost to the Chattanooga Lookouts (21-21) by a score of 4-2 at AT&T Field. Rada finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI, a