Chicago Cubs: Five MLB draft day ‘dream’ scenarios

Chicago Cubs: The best arm in the draft

When the Atlanta Braves selected left-handed starting pitcher Reid Detmers in the 32nd round of the 2017 first-year player draft, Detmers represented Illinois as one of the best high schoolers in the country. Perfect Game ranked Detmers as the third-best overall pitcher in the state, in 2017.

Detmers forewent his path to the pros and chose instead to attend the University of Louisville. Coming out of high school, Detmers did not wow scouts with his stuff. As a freshman, he pitched to an uninspiring 4.85 ERA over 18 games to include eight starts. To experience the challenge of the power, five SEC was good, however, for the 18-year-old.

The following year as a sophomore, Detmers improved significantly. It was night and day from his freshman season. Making 17 starts for the Cardinals, the stocky lefty posted 12 wins and a 2.85 ERA across 107 1/3 innings. He improved his strikeout rate from 11.16 K/9 to a 13.58 K/9, striking out 162 in that span. Amazingly, Detmers also posted a WHIP under one and led his Cardinals to a berth in the College World Series.

Detmers has been compared to former Cardinals starter and top prospect Brendan McKay. He possesses an upright, compact windup with strength and smooth delivery. His fastball is his strength with an air of deception. Regarding his other pitches, Detmers possesses an above-average curveball when it is on and a sinking changeup that plays well. Like Meyer, Detmers is a projected top ten pick. Still, he is an enjoyable prospect and lands on this list for a good reason.