Position: RHP
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 12/13/1993
College: Vanderbilt University
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Drafted: 1st round, 8th Overall, 2015 (White Sox)
Bonus: $3,470,600
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 0
Overview
The White Sox made Fulmer the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft. At the time, there was some question whether his path forward in starting or relief, based on his height and a high-effort delivery. The Sox rushed him to the majors in his first full year and the move didn’t work out well, initiating many years of travel between AAA and the majors, and though numerous organizations. Success has been elusive, as Fulmer has a 5.38 career ERA in the majors and 4.90 in AAA. He’s increasingly pitched in relief, although not entirely.
Fulmer’s fastball averages about 93 mph. According to Statcast, he’s increasingly switched to a sinker the last two years. He also throws a slider, curve and change. The fastball and slider appear to be his most effective pitches. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal for 2024.
2015-16
Fulmer reached the majors in his first full season. After being drafted, he made eight starts in high A and dominated there. In 2016, he opened the season in AA and wasn’t entirely successful, with a 4.76 ERA and 5.3 BB/9 in 17 starts. The Sox nevertheless called him up in mid-July. He appeared eight times in relief and had an ERA of 8.49, then got sent to AAA for four starts.
2017-19
Fulmer spent the next three seasons bouncing back and forth between the majors and AAA. He also gradually moved toward pitching in relief, appearing mostly as a starter in 2017, in a swing role in 2018 and in relief in 2019. He didn’t see much success at either level, with high ERAs and walk rates generally around 5-6 per nine innings, as well as mediocre K rates. His stint in relief in AAA seemed to show some promise, as he fanned 13.5 per nine innings over 24 games. In the majors, though, he had a 6.46 ERA.
2020-22
After 2019, Fulmer was out of options. Once the delayed 2020 season got underway, he was claimed off waivers eight times in eight months. That included twice by the Pirates, although he never pitched for them. During the pandemic season, Fulmer appeared in ten games total with the Orioles and Tigers, all in relief, with a 4.35 ERA.
The Reds claimed Fulmer from the Pirates in March 2021 and he pitched for them out of the bullpen, posting a 6.66 ERA in 20 games. In late May, Cincinnati outrighted Fulmer to AAA, where he pitched mostly in relief the rest of the year and posted a 4.61 ERA. He fanned 11.2 per nine innings, but walked 5.5.
In December 2021, the Dodgers selected Fulmer in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He spent the 2021 season in AAA and had probably his best season as a pro, pitching in relief except for one start. He still had a 5.6 BB/9, but he had a 9.8 K/9 and 1.25 WHIP.
2023-24
Fulmer became a free agent after 2022 and signed a minor league deal with Seattle. The Mariners released him at the end of spring training and two months later he signed a minor league deal with the Angels. He pitched as a starter for them in AAA and had a 5.27 ERA with poor walk and K rates. The Angels called him up in late September and he appeared in three games with them.
After 2023, the Angels non-tendered Fulmer but he signed another minor league deal with them. They called him up in early April and he pitched the rest of the season with them, making eight starts and 29 relief appearances. His overall numbers were solid: 4.15 ERA, 4.2 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9. He wasn’t especially better in either role.
The Angels non-tendered Fulmer again after 2024 and the Pirates signed him to a minor league deal.
Stats
Transactions
June 6, 2012: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 15th round, 71st overall pick.
June 8, 2015: Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round, 8th overall pick; signed on July 3.
July 15, 2016: Contract purchased by the Chicago White Sox.
July 25, 2020: Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox by the Detroit Tigers.
August 24, 2020: Claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
September 5, 2020: Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Baltimore Orioles.
September 21, 2020: Claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
March 14, 2021: Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Cincinnati Reds.
May 24, 2021: Outrighted to AAA by the Cincinnati Reds.
December 8, 2021: Selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft from the Cincinnati Reds by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
April 30, 2022: Called up by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
May 5, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
October 14, 2022: Became a free agent.
February 9, 2023: Signed by the Seattle Mariners as a minor league free agent.
March 29, 2023: Released by the Seattle Mariners.
May 29, 2023: Signed by the Los Angeles Angels as a minor league free agent.
September 24, 2023: Called up by the Los Angeles Angels.
October 17, 2023: Became a free agent.
February 9, 2024: Signed by the Los Angeles Angels as a minor league free agent.
April 8, 2024: Called up by the Los Angeles Angels.
October 28, 2024: Became a free agent.
December 14, 2024: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent.