Position: LHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 220 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 05/18/1996
College: Webster University
Drafted: 5th round, 139th Overall, 2017 (Rays)
How Acquired: Free Agent
Bonus: $272,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 0
Overview
Fleming is a classic crafty lefty. A fifth round pick of the Rays in 2017, he throws a four-seam fastball and a sinker, both averaging around 90-91 mph, along with a change and curve. Despite the modest velocity, the sinker is probably his best pitch, as it gets good movement. Fleming spent parts of four seasons in the majors with the Rays, serving as a long reliever and spot starter. He’s been far more effective as a reliever. As a starter, opponents have torched him for a 6.10 ERA and 304/353/503 batting line. As a reliever, those numbers are 3.73 and 256/315/382. Fleming has had trouble with right-handed batters, allowing them a line of 288/351/451, compared to 260/286/420 by left-handed batters. He has very good command, but has had very low K rates. He’s a strong groundball pitcher, but gopher balls have been a problem anyway. The Pirates signed Fleming to a split contract for 2024.
2017-19
Fleming moved up quickly through the Rays’ system, mostly as a starter. After a shaky debut in 2017 in the Appalachian, he carved up hitters in Low A for ten starts in 2018, posting a 1.20 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. He got hit harder after a promotion to High A. Fleming didn’t put up good K rates at any level. In 2019, Fleming spent most of the season in AA and had a 3.31 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
2020-21
Fleming went to the Rays’ alternate site in 2020, but they called him up in late August. He got into seven games, five of them starts, and had an impressive debut with a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He then spent most of 2021 with the Rays and pitched well for several months, but got pummeled in July and August, with opponents putting up an OPS over .900 both months. Tampa Bay sent him to AAA at the end of August before recalling him at the end of September. On the season in the majors, Fleming had a 5.09 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
2022-23
Fleming was hampered by injuries in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, he missed some time with an oblique injury and struggled through 35 innings in the majors. He had a 6.43 ERA and opponents put up a .938 OPS against him. Fleming pitched better in 15 games, ten of them starts, in AAA. He had a 3.06 ERA, but he still gave up 73 hits in 64.2 IP.
Fleming was back with the Rays at the start of 2023. He pitched in 11 games for them, just three starts, through the end of May. He was pitching well, with a 3.59 ERA, until his start at the end of May, when he allowed ten runs, eight earned, in six innings. At that point, Fleming went on the injured list with elbow inflammation due to cartilege buildup. He pitched only once more for the Rays the rest of the year.
The Rays designated Fleming for assignment after the 2023 season and the Phillies claimed him off waivers. A short time later, though, they non-tendered him and he became a free agent. The Pirates signed him for 2024. He’s out of options.
The Pirates designated Fleming for assignment in mid-May. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA, but was called back up a month later. Then the Pirates designated him again in late July.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 5th round, 139th overall pick; signed on June 20.
August 23, 2020: Contract purchased by the Tampa Bay Rays.
November 6, 2023: Claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays by the Philadelphia Phillies.
November 17, 2023: Became a free agent.
February 14, 2024: Signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May 18, 2024: Outrighted to AAA by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
June 14, 2024: Called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
July 26, 2024: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.