Michael Fulmer

Fulmer’s two-seamer has a ton of late life to it, sitting around 96 miles per hour with wicked arm-side run. Although the pitch posted slightly better O-swing and swinging-strike rates than in years past, it was hit hard when put in play, leading to a .795 opponent OPS and a -2.1 pVal.

Fulmer actually had much more success with his straight four-seamer than his two-seam in 2018. Thrown at a similar 96 mph, occasionally reaching back to 99, Fulmer was able to generate a 32.1% O-swing rate and a 12.1% swinging-strike rate—both career highs. Perhaps more reliance on his straight heat will help Fulmer turn things around in 2019.

Fulmer’s slider changed quite a bit from 2017 to 2018. He lost some velocity while adding much more depth and less horizontal movement. The result was a Money Pitch, with a 40.9% O-swing rate, a 51.2% zone rate and a 15.6% swinging-strike rate—all career highs. An usually high 25% HR/FB rate tanked the pitch’s value, though—with signs pointing to a rebound in 2019.

Fulmer’s changeup flattened out a bit last year, with one inch less movement. He still generated a nice 40.8% O-swing rate and a 65.7% ground-ball rate, but when the pitch was elevated, it was sent over the fence at an alarming rate, leading to a -4.9 pVal.