Reid Detmers vs. Garrett Crochet: 2020 MLB Draft Prospect Showdown, LHP Rankings

Leading up to the 2020 draft on June 10, we’ll preview each position group by comparing and contrasting two of the top players in the mix. Today is lefthanded pitchers, led by Reid Detmers and Garrett Crochet. 

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Outfielders | Corner Infielders

Fastball: This is likely the biggest gap between the two, with Crochet having double-plus fastball potential with a heater that explodes out of his hand and gets up 100 mph at its best. That is high-end fastball velocity from a lefthander that is seldom seen. Former South Florida lefty Shane McClanahan, now in the Rays’ system, also hit 100 mph prior to the 2018 draft. Detmers has much fringier fastball velocity and typically sits in the low 90s. EDGE: Crochet

Breaking Balls: Consistency with a breaking ball gives Detmers the edge here. His easy plus curveball has big depth and shape, and while Crochet’s slider has plus potential as well, he gets to those 60-grade pitches less frequently than Detmers. The big break and low-70s velocity on Detmers’ curve give him a unique look. EDGE: Detmers

Changeup: Scouts have said both Detmers and Crochet have changeups that show above-average potential, so this category is a push. EDGE: Draw

Control: While Crochet wins by a wide margin in the fastball category, Detmers is the clear favorite here and stacks up well against every other pitcher in the nation. He has a long track record of throwing strikes and walked fewer than 2.5 batters per nine innings in 2019 and 2020. Double-plus control isn’t a stretch for Detmers. EDGE: Detmers

X Factor: Another key difference between the two southpaws is rotation track record. Detmers has 25 starts and impressive performance in the Atlantic Coast Conference on his résumé, in addition to a strong summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2019. He also earns plaudits for his competitive makeup. Meanwhile, Crochet has just 13 college starts and most of those came as a freshman and sophomore, when he made more relief appearances than starts overall. EDGE: Detmers

Scout’s take on Detmers: “He’s going to pitch as long as he wants to . . . Huge courage, huge compete tool, very unaffected by any environment. Strike-thrower, makes big pitches, not scared . . . I don’t even look at his stuff—they don’t hit him.”

Scout’s take on Crochet: “His fastball is absolutely electric . . . Big, tall lefty with some angle on it. It was 95-96 (mph) every pitch with some action on it . . . His fastball is absolutely explosive.”

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Lefthanded Pitchers

Strength: 3 stars

Asa Lacy is the No. 1 pitcher in the draft, while Reid Detmers (pitchability and poise) and Garrett Crochet (pure power) also could be drafted in the top half of the first round, making this a top-heavy, if average, year for southpaws.

See full scouting reports in the BA 500 here.