Pirates Take a Risk by Signing Former First-Round Pick for Potential Reclamation Project
The Pittsburgh Pirates are once again making moves to bolster their pitching staff, and this time, they’ve added a familiar name to the mix. The Pirates have agreed to a minor-league contract with right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. Fulmer, a former first-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, joins the Pirates after spending the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. His journey through the majors has been a rocky one, but he remains a pitcher with potential, and the Pirates will be hoping to tap into that as they continue their rebuild.
Fulmer was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the No. 8 overall pick in 2015, coming out of Vanderbilt, where he was one of the most highly regarded pitchers in college baseball. However, his professional career has been a tale of ups and downs. Despite some early struggles in the big leagues, Fulmer has kept fighting for a spot, and now he finds himself trying to prove himself with Pittsburgh.
A Look at Carson Fulmer’s Career So Far
Over the course of his career, Fulmer has played for several teams, including the White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and most recently, the Angels. His best stretch came in 2018 when he posted a respectable 4.50 ERA in 38 innings across eight starts. That year, Fulmer also struck out 38 batters, showing flashes of his potential. However, he struggled to build consistency and has never fully lived up to the promise he showed as a top draft pick.
In 2023, Fulmer appeared in 37 games for the Angels, including eight starts, posting an 0-5 record with a 4.15 ERA. He threw a career-high 86.2 innings and set a career-best 81 strikeouts. While his win-loss record wasn’t great, Fulmer did show signs of improvement in his command and ability to get strikeouts. For a player who had not pitched more than 32.1 innings or struck out more than 29 batters in any previous season, his 2023 campaign could be seen as a step in the right direction, despite the poor win-loss record.
Pirates Hope to Tap Into Fulmer’s Potential
The Pirates’ decision to sign Fulmer on a minor-league deal is a low-risk move with the potential for a high reward. At 28 years old, Fulmer still has time to turn his career around. If he can find the right environment, Pittsburgh could be the team that helps him rediscover his former promise.
The Pirates have shown a willingness to take chances on pitchers who have not yet reached their full potential. Last season, they gave opportunities to a number of arms and have since begun a transformation of their pitching staff. By bringing in Fulmer, the Pirates are adding to a growing pool of arms, including minor-league signings like right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton, who is returning after recovering from a ruptured patella tendon, and right-handed reliever Tanner Rainey. These moves are part of the Pirates’ broader plan to upgrade their pitching depth and develop a more competitive staff.
A Busy December for Pittsburgh’s Pitching Staff
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff overhaul has been in full swing this December. In addition to bringing in Fulmer, the Pirates have been busy adding new faces to the fold. Notably, Pittsburgh selected three pitchers in the Rule 5 Draft: 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher Franck De La Rosa from the Athletics, as well as left-handed pitchers Steve Hajjar and Randy Labaut from the Cleveland Guardians. These additions demonstrate Pittsburgh’s focus on improving their pitching depth at every level.
Furthermore, the Pirates made a splash by trading for left-handed hitting first baseman Spencer Horwitz from the Guardians, parting with right-handed starter Luis Ortiz and pitching prospects Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. This trade signals a continued commitment to building a more balanced roster, especially in the pitching department.
Looking Ahead: Spring Training Opportunity for Fulmer
While the minor-league contract does not guarantee Fulmer a spot on the major league roster, the deal does come with an invitation to major league spring training. This will give Fulmer the opportunity to prove himself and fight for a spot in the Pirates’ bullpen or even the rotation.
With Pittsburgh in the midst of a rebuild, they are giving themselves a chance to discover hidden gems who can provide value in the future. A player like Fulmer, with a pedigree as a former first-round pick, could very well be the type of reclamation project the Pirates need to help round out their pitching staff.
Final Thoughts: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Move for the Pirates
The addition of Carson Fulmer is an intriguing one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. While his career has been marked by inconsistency, the Pirates’ front office clearly believes that Fulmer still has something to offer. With a chance to prove himself in spring training, Fulmer could find the right environment in Pittsburgh to rebuild his career. The Pirates are taking a gamble, but one that could pay off if Fulmer can unlock the potential that made him a top pick back in 2015.
As the Pirates continue to make moves to strengthen their pitching staff, Fulmer represents the type of low-risk, high-reward gamble they’ll need to take in order to get back into contention. Time will tell if this gamble will pay off, but for now, Fulmer is a player worth watching closely this spring.
