The Trash Pandas' first ace fittingly became the first former Rocket City star to reach the big leagues. The Opening Night starter for both the inaugural game in Trash Pandas history on May 5, 2021 at Chattanooga and in the first game in Toyota Field history on May 11 vs. Tennessee, Reid Detmers showed why he was the Angels' first-round selection in the 2020 draft.
Over his time in the Rocket City, Detmers set numerous franchise records while also recording the first strikeout in team and Toyota Field history. His 16 strikeouts on June 26, 2021 at Chattanooga remain a Trash Pandas record. He made 12 starts for the Trash Pandas in 2021, going 2-4 with a 3.50 ERA along with 97 strikeouts over just 54.0 innings. At the time of his promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake on July 22, those 97 strikeouts led Double-A South and were the most among all Angels farmhands.
On August 1, Detmers was promoted to the big leagues after just one Triple-A start. Although he took the loss in his debut that day vs. Oakland, he went on to earn his first MLB win on August 15 against the Astros, allowing one run over six innings. The southpaw spent most of 2022 with the Angels and etched his name into Angels history in just his 11th Major League start on May 10, throwing a no-hitter against Tampa Bay at Angel Stadium, recording two strikeouts and walking just one in route to the 12th no-hitter in Angels history
Detmers had fond memories of his time in Rocket City, CLICK HERE to read an article from April 2022.