2012 Season Review: Ross Detwiler

Ross Detwiler had his first full season in the Major Leagues in 2012 and took things he learned and did as good as he has done at the level with the possible exception of some peripherals from last year. Detwiler made himself a part of the Nationals rotation and going into this season should be comfortable as either the No. 4 or 5 starter depending on roster moves that the Nationals make this offseason.

Oct 11, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Ross Detwiler (48) throws during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals of game four of the 2012 NLDS at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

2012 Projection (ZiPS): 7-8, 4.44 ERA, 23 starts, 121.2 IP, 45/76 BB/K
2012 Actual: 10-8, 3.40, 27 starts, 164.1 IP, 52/105 BB/K

The things that jump out at you was how little was expected from Detwiler this season when it comes to comparable players. He had a good season in light duty last season, but this season was able to do it consistently and if it wasn’t for some bad starts at the end of the season, could have been even better but came back with one of his best starts of the season when it mattered most – Game 4 of the NLDS which set up, with help from the bullpen, Jayson Werth‘s game-winning, walk-off homerun.

That start really put a good spin on what could have been a sour end to the end of the season. He was 1-2 with a 4.81 ERA in his final five starts of the season and walked 23 per cent of his batters for the season in those starts. It would have been a necessity for Washington to go out and get a starting pitcher with experience to step into the rotation with the Nationals big three, but with his start in the playoffs he was able to quell some of the need in that spot and can definitely step into Edwin Jackson‘s spot in the rotation if the market does not work out to Washington’s liking.

Season Highlight: We talked about it already, but his start in the NLDS was the best start he had all season. He didn’t get the win, but pitched 6 innings allowing three hits, three walks, one unearned run and two strikeouts. He stepped up when the team needed him most in a pressure-packed must-win game. He won’t be a top of the rotation guy, but in Washington he doesn’t need to be. He is a above average bottom of the rotation starter.

Previous Reviews:
Xavier Nady
Chien Ming Wang
Mark DeRosa
Henry Rodriguez
Carlos Maldonado
Brad Lidge
Ryan Mattheus
Ryan Perry
Rick Ankiel
Jesus Flores
Sandy Leon
Corey Brown
Christian Garcia
Jhonatan Solano
Mike Morse
Zach Duke
Tom Gorzelanny
Chad Tracy
Mike Gonzalez
John Lannan
Kurt Suzuki
Drew Storen
Wilson Ramos
Tyler Moore
Steve Lombardozzi
Jayson Werth
Craig Stammen
Tyler Clippard
Roger Bernadina
Sean Burnett
Ross Detwiler
Adam LaRoche
Edwin Jackson
Danny Espinosa
Ryan Zimmerman
Jordan Zimmermann
Stephen Strasburg
Bryce Harper
Gio Gonzalez