The Pirates and outfielder Dominic Fletcher have agreed to a minor league deal, as first reported by Bucco Bantr. The Ballengee Group client also receives an invite to big league camp in spring training.
Fletcher, 28, has appeared in 112 big league games over the past three big league seasons. Suiting up for the Diamondbacks and the White Sox, he has stepped to the plate 377 times but with just four home runs and a 5.3% walk rate. That’s led to a .233/.280/.325 batting line and 67 wRC+, indicating he’s been 33% below league average at the plate. He’s been better in the minors but not by much. Dating back to the start of 2024, he has a .256/.317/.432 line and 88 wRC+ on the farm.
The White Sox outrighted him off their roster in October and he was later able to elect free agency. Despite the lack of offense, Fletcher could have a path to being a glove-first fourth outfielder. He has 872 2/3 big league innings in the outfield, having spent time in all three slots on the grass. In that time, he’s been credited with five Outs Above Average and 13 Defensive Runs Saved.
The Bucs project to have Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds in two outfield spots. That leaves one job open for guys like Jake Mangum, Jhostynxon García, Jack Suwinski and Billy Cook. They recently designated Marco Luciano for assignment, so he could be in the mix as non-roster depth if he clears waivers. Ronny Simón is already aboard as a non-roster option as the Bucs signed him to a minor league deal.
Fletcher now jumps into that competition for outfield playing time. If he eventually earns a roster spot, he has one option season remaining. He also has a bit more than one year of service time, so he’s still years away from qualifying for arbitration and could therefore be affordably retained for the foreseeable future.
Photo courtesy of Lon Horwedel, Imagn Images
Offense is coming together guys
one run at a time 🙂
I can’t fault them for building depth in the outfield. I mean, the kid they got from Boston is still unproven, Mangum, who is still kind of an unknown and beyond them, they only have Suwinski. And as the article mentions, an entire cast of young guys who haven’t proven themselves in the bigs
Mangum is pretty safe as average outfielder. Elite defense. Steal bases.
3b is the need unless they start KG at SS then Triolo is fine I suppose.
Triolo if we had would be ok. Kazuma Okamoto Would’ve been better
I again am going to point to the idea my friend MendozaLine has put forth here as a better option. Bohm solves the problem at 3rd. Castellanos provides power at DH and can play some OF.
Okamoto is nice to talk about but a risk as he’s not a known entity where MLB pitching is concerned. Suarez gives them power and even more strikeouts. No idea what the Phillies would want, but seems more logical and less risky
Super great guy. Loves playing the game.
Would love to see him play well.
I love playing chess, that doesn’t make me a world class champion
If you love the game and you are a super great guy, we don’t need you to be a world class champion. We would only love to see you play well.
Dom has played in both MLB and the College World Series.
He’s made it much further than most.
Non-roster bats
Hope this isn’t what Pirates are looking for. Hope they still might take a bid on a slightly used Jesus Sanchez
As a Sox fan, Fletcher will make the Pirates team. Solid defense and can run and hit.
Nice pick up.
Cherington quietly putting together another quality AAA team in Indy. Not a bad signing but I wish Nutting would allow him to put a quality MLB team together.
Good thing it is not his brother David Fletcher who allegedly had a close friend named Colby who had placed bets on Angel games with an illegal bookmaker. David is the shameful Fletcher, Dominic is the clean one who offers solid depth.
@mlb. Yeah that’s why David was buried in the minors. He gave ippei his bookee’s information. I think he was just giving his friend inside information. His friend was charged, don’t think fletcher was.
If Cruz is in CF, the Pirates have a big issue and won’t improve much in the W/L column. He is a very lazy and poor defensive player. Why people think this guy is legit OF contributor, is baffling. Even some highly taunted writers assume such a thing. Ones that seen his performances during the season, see his flaws. He needs to be moved off the field and I swear, Pirates will gain 10 or more wins from the position. He’s just too unfocused on the field.
I agree. This deserves more likes.
White Sox legend!
Cruz’ immaturity problem is a direct result of management treating him like a child, while rarely imposing any discipline
True too.
I’d give Suk-Dunski 1 more year on 40 man roster, the same for O’Neill Cruz. Time to fish or cut bait
It was time to cut bait on Suwinski before agreeing on arbitration this offseason
This guy is weak even as filler for Indy.