Detmers feels better prepared to capitalize on potential for Halos in '25

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- After an absolute rollercoaster of a season in 2024, left-hander Reid Detmers spent time in the offseason to reflect on the ups and downs and figure out how he can fulfill his immense potential.

Detmers, who allowed one run over two innings in his first start of the spring against the Guardians on Sunday, has made it his mission to prove he can be a top starter, but knows he needs to earn his spot in the rotation after his rocky showing last year. He’s currently competing for the final spot in the rotation with other candidates such as Jack Kochanowicz and Chase Silseth. Detmers said he worked hard in the offseason to build strength in key areas and incorporated yoga into his routine while also working on the mental side of the game.

“I was telling [pitching coach] Barry [Enright], it was the first year where I truly learned a lot about myself and going into the offseason, I knew exactly what I needed to work on, and so I think we're in a good spot,” Detmers said. “Obviously, there were ups and downs last year, but without having that, I wouldn't be able to figure out what I needed to work on.”

Detmers, 25, showed plenty of promise as a rookie in 2022, posting a 3.77 ERA and throwing a no-hitter against the Rays. But after a 4.48 ERA in 28 starts in '23, he took another step back last year with a 6.70 ERA in 17 starts and a lengthy stint at Triple-A Salt Lake from early June to early September.

Detmers said after analyzing his season, he believes he had trouble locating his fastball, which was a point of emphasis this offseason. He has several pitches to put away hitters such as his slider, curveball and changeup, as evidenced by his 109 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings. But he served up 18 homers and had trouble executing in important spots.

“I think it was a little bit mental, but it was mostly not getting the ball in the zone,” Detmers said. “Getting the fastball in the zone is huge. So hammering down fastball command in the offseason and having everything play off of that is huge. And that was my main goal.”

Angels manager Ron Washington agreed with Detmers’ assertion, as he believes most of his struggles were because of a lack of command. He said the competition for the last spot in the rotation won’t start to heat up until their third start of the spring.

“He just has to work on executing his pitches and putting hitters away,” Washington said. “When he tried to throw that slider on the back foot, it would stay in the middle. When he tried to throw that changeup, it stayed in the middle.”

Detmers, who trains at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida in the offseason, admitted that the season took a toll on him physically last year as well. So he changed some things such as his diet and workout routine this offseason.

“I would definitely say by the end of the year last year, I was kind of beat up,” Detmers said, “And so we were attacking those areas. It allows me to feel better longer throughout the season. I know I usually say just the best I've ever felt or get to Spring Training, but this is truly the best I've ever felt. So I think we're in a good spot. Body's moving a lot cleaner, it feels like.”

Detmers also said he’s trying to shift his mentality, as he believes he’s been too hard on himself in recent years. He looked on track to be a top-end starter after his rookie season but hasn’t found that consistency yet.

“The last couple years have been a little stressful,” Detmers said. “Put a little bit too much pressure on myself. This year, I took the time to really work on stuff and work on my mind. And in the past, I was having fun. It’s about getting back to that. And I still think I can be a front-end starter, obviously.”

Detmers said that mental shift applies to the battle for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, as he’s trying not to think about it and just focus on what he can control.

“Nothing's guaranteed,” Detmers said. “Just kind of approach it the same way I would always approach it, not overthinking it, going out there and competing every day, which is what I love to do. That's how we got this job, competing like nothing's ever given to you. So just kind of going back to my roots.”