Detwiler hasn't been progressing as quickly as many people had hoped. He has struggled with getting batters out when he needs to, but has also had some control issues (like a 7 walk game against Myrtle). The coaches believe that part of the problem is that Detwiler is putting too much pressure on himself, that he is letting situations get to him too much, rather than approaching the game a batter at a time.
As I have mentioned before, he has proven that he can induce some ground outs (1.48 GO/AO). He has also shown that he is capable to striking batters out like the scouts declared he would be able to, he has struck out at least 6 batters in 3 of his last 5. Another telling stat is the amount of HRs he has let up, 7 in 103 IP, putting him at about .61 HR for every 9 IP.
Detwiler has been working on his mechanics this season with coach Randy Tomlin at Potomac. Part of his problem is he starts getting sloppy with his delivery (arm flails across his body after release) and this is when his troubles start in game situations. I think once he gets the control of his fastball down, the other parts should start to fall in place. Apparently, he has some nice movement on his fastball and breaking ball. Personally, while Detwiler has struggled, I still think he has the potential to be a good major league pitcher.
Randy Knorr/Potomac Nationals Manager:"I think his expectations of himself and what others think of him have slowed his progress up to this point. I think he's worrying about impressing other guys too much rather than just going out there, learning about himself, and being the pitcher he's capable of being."
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Detwiler:"I think it boosted my confidence and it added pressure…and you know it really goes to show that, you know, I can compete at that level…it's just I have to fine-tune some skills, you know, to be back up there every day."
Detwiler has made the professional transition since being at Missouri State, and those who watched him regularly in college may notice a difference.
Detwiler:"I throw a lot of fastballs now… I don't really use my breaking…breaking stuff much because you try to establish yourself with your fastball and work ahead that way."
http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=44171The Nationals' 2007 first-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft, Ross Detwiler, made the short trip from Class A Potomac to D.C. last week to work a bullpen session with pitching coach Randy St. Claire. The veteran Major League pitching coach liked what he saw.
St. Claire said Detwiler has "a great arm" and impressive pitches. The Nationals pitching coach likes the sink Detwiler puts on his fastball, the "tight spin" on his breaking ball and his curveball.
"He's got the stuff to be, I think, a very good pitcher at the Major League level," St. Claire said. "He's just got to put it together, where he becomes consistent with each and every pitch. To be successful at this level, 80 percent of your pitches have got to go where you want them to go. Until he gets that down ... he's got a lot of learning to do, but he's got the ability and I think potential to be here and be a very good starter."
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The Missouri State product attributed the greatest part of his success to an adjustment he made with Potomac pitching coach Randy Tomlin to straighten up his delivery. He said his struggles have come when he starts throwing across his body, causing him to lose control at times.
http://minorsupdate.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/08/st_claire_impressed_with_detwi.htmlA look at Detwiler's mechanics following the 2007 Draft:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/breaking-down-the-drafts-1st-round-picks-1-10/
