Dean Deetz, a 2012 graduate of Nixa High School, is now just one step away from the Majors. The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher was added to the Houston Astros 40-man roster Monday.
A 2014 11th round draft pick by the Astros, Deetz went 7-6 this season with a 4.25 ERA in 25 games split between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno. He struck out 97 batters in 84.2 innings pitched, earning Midwest League Pitcher of the Week twice.
Deetz, who has a fastball in the high 90s, missed his senior season of baseball with an elbow injury. He sat out the following year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, performed by renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and would later play at Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College.
At NEO Deetz went 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA, striking out 56 batters in 41.1 IP, impressing scouts and earning the praise of his head coach Roger Ward.
“I think he’ll throw 100 mph someday,” Ward said. “When he was on, he was unhittable.”
