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Michael Fulmer 2019 Outlook: Minimal Investment For SP3 Upside When Healthy
6 years agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer was once considered a promising young starter with upper-level upside. He has had a bumpy road the last two years and the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year award seems like a distant memory. A 2018 season filled with injuries (oblique, shin, knee) provided results that were less than encouraging; in 24 starts, Fulmer accrued a 3-12 record with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Fulmer’s profile is not one of an elite pitcher, especially with a strikeout rate (7.43) that is below league average. He also had home run troubles (1.29) this year but I would not expect them to continue with a return to health. Fulmer’s season ended abruptly with surgery in August to repair his knee. Fulmer should be recovered for the 2019 season and an SP3 production is possible. However, the Tigers team around him is wanting so wins might be scarce. The RotoBaller staff ranks Fulmer 65th among starters, which factors in all of the risks. If you have the flexibility on your roster, you can take a chance on him in the last couple of rounds as he currently has an ADP of 303.
