He was a former first round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2007 and now Ross Detwiler is doing more than just hanging around the big leagues.
The Washington Nationals drafted Ross Detwiler with the sixth overall pick in the 2007 draft, and he appeared in the big leagues the same year. Sure, it was just a one inning relief appearance, though the outing showed the confidence the team had in this young left-handed pitcher.
After spending all of 2008 in the minor leagues, Detwiler made his way back to the majors in 2009 and joined the starting rotation in mid-May.
Over the next three years, Detwiler would make spot starts, pitch out of the bullpen as needed, and be shuttled between the majors and Triple-A.
Coming into the spring of 2012, he carved out a permanent spot in the starting rotation. This was the season the Nationals won the division for the first time in team history, and Detwiler was a big part of the team’s success.
He was 10-8 with a 3.40 earned run average, while making 27 starts. He even drew a start in the postseason, pitching six innings without allowing an earned run, in the Game 4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Having notched his spot in the back of the rotation, Detwiler entered 2013 with high hopes. He struggled. After posting a WHIP of nearly 1.50 and an ERA over 4.00, he landed on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his back.
This would be the last time he would appear in the starting rotation for the Nationals.
In the playoff year of 2014 he pitched out of the bullpen then was traded to the Texas Rangers in the offseason.
How does a troubled starting pitcher prolong his career? He moves to the bullpen. And Ross Detwilier has done just that.
In the last five years he has appeared in the majors for five different teams. He has mostly worked in relief during that time, which also included two stops with the Atlantic Leagues York Revolution.
Currently pitching out of the Chicago White Sox bullpen, Detwiler is having a resurgent season. He has an ERA of 1.56 and a WHIP less than 1.00. He has only allowed one home run for a team who is surprisingly leading the Central Division.
If the Washington Nationals can’t get a ring this year, here’s hoping some former Nationals can. Maybe it’s Ross Detwiler’s turn for glory.