The Pirates have signed right-hander Carson Fulmer to a minor league contract, reports Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Fulmer, a client of Icon Sports Management, receives an invite to big league spring training and has already arrived at Pirates camp.
Fulmer, 32, was the No. 8 overall pick back in 2015. He hasn’t matched that draft status or the considerable fanfare he generated during his Vanderbilt days, but he’s pitched decently in a multi-inning role for the Angels across the past three seasons, logging a combined 4.43 ERA, 20.9% strikeout rate, 10.2% walk rate and 42.3% ground-ball rate in 126 innings (44 relief appearances, nine starts).
As Alex Stumpf points out, this is somewhat incredibly the fourth stint for Fulmer in the Pirates organization — despite never actually appearing in a major league game with them. Pittsburgh claimed Fulmer off waivers from the Tigers back in August of 2020 and immediately optioned him. He was designated him for assignment a couple weeks later and lost to the Orioles via waivers. The Bucs claimed him back from the Orioles three weeks later and even recalled him to the big league roster for the final couple days of the season, but he didn’t pitch in a game. Fulmer was designated for assignment the following spring and claimed by the Reds.
The Pirates also signed Fulmer to a minor league contract and brought him to camp last spring. He didn’t make the club but did spend the first two months of the season pitching for Triple-A Indianapolis, where he logged a 4.64 ERA in 42 2/3 innings (seven relief appearances, six starts). Those numbers generally align with Fulmer’s performance in parts of what is now nine seasons at the Triple-A level.
Pittsburgh’s bullpen is largely set, but there are at least a couple spots up for grabs this spring. Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto, Isaac Mattson, Justin Lawrence and Carmen Mlodzinski all figure to be on the Opening Day roster, health permitting. Left-hander Mason Montgomery, acquired alongside Brandon Lowe in the three-team deal sending righty Mike Burrows to Houston, should have a strong chance to make the club, too. The final two spots will be a contest including Evan Sisk, Kyle Nicolas, Cam Sanders and Yohan Ramirez. Since he’s out of minor league options, Ramirez might have an advantage. Non-roster invitees joining Fulmer in big league camp include Chris Devenski, Joe La Sorsa and Beau Burrows.
Sure, you need a lot of pitchers to get through spring training and you never know.
Big goggle dude about to get lit up
With a decent infield defense behind him his numbers would look better.
He’ll get that in Indianapolis. In Pittsburgh? Remains to be seen.
Angels defense is atrocious.
Never seemed to grasp the number one tool a ML pitcher needs to possess for longevity….Command.
Pirates don’t have many lefties. Even the rotation is ALL righties and not a single lefty on the horizon. I was hopeful the Pirates would address that even if it was by depth. Most MLB rotations have at least 1 lefty at minimum. With that said, it should be an interesting season for the Pirates rotation. The supposedly strength of the Pirates is their rotation, we shall see if the rotation can meet or exceed expectations. Having an all righty rotation will come with challenges.
Last successful all righty rotation was the 2018 Houston Astros and the last all righty rotation to win a World Series was the 1965 Dodgers. Just a fruit for thought here.
Barco should be up this year. Solometo also is a possibility.
We’re missing verteran lefties, sure, which is strange since the Pirates have really prioritized that the previous few years. But I think we’re okay.
I would love to get Tyler Anderson though. Hoping that’s still a possibility.
@sandlot there is also Patrick Corbin (in a pinch) unsigned in free agency
Shoot yeah I forgot about him too. He’d be my second option behind Anderson but he’d still be pretty good to get.
Idk, I get having a lefty in the rotation, but is having a washed up lefty better than having a young righty with potential better? I’d argue not.
Horrible mistake and we all know it.
Somehow always makes it back to Pittsburgh, but has never pitched a single game in a Pirates uniform.