White Sox: Can Carson Fulmer Become MLB Starting Pitcher?

White Sox 2015 first round pick Carson Fulmer believes he can become starting pitcher in MLB. Will the right hander be able to last as a starter this season if promoted?

The Chicago White Sox selected Carson Fulmer with the eighth pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. After a solid season with Double A Birmingham Barons, Fulmer was promoted to the White Sox after the All-Star break last season.

Fulmer had a rocky first taste of MLB as he posted a 8.49 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched in relief for the White Sox. After a rough start to his MLB career, Fulmer was later demoted to Triple A Charlotte Knights were he became a starter again.

Although Fulmer was demoted to the Knights, he did finish the season strong in his last three starts. Fulmer allowed one earned run combined through those three starts. While Fulmer has been projected by many scouts as being a future reliever, he believes he can certainly be a MLB starting pitcher.

According to Scott Merkin of whitesox.com, Fulmer credited Knights former pitching coach Richard Dotson for helping tweak a few things and make him comfortable on the mound. Dotson is now the White Sox Minor League pitching coordinator according to Merkin, and he pointed out Fulmer’s tendency to stand flat on the mound.

“That was what I needed in my career. That’s what I needed to push through. From now on, I’m going to be given an opportunity to impact this ballclub as an important player. I’m way farther than what I thought I was going to be at this point. I’m definitely ready to go.” Carson Fulmer

Fulmer stated after receiving tips from Dotson, everything clicked immediately on the mound for him. He said after he threw his first pitch, he knew what he needed to do according to Merkin. Fulmer understands he has doubters, but he still wants to be a starter in the big leagues. It might not happen this season, but if Fulmer can carry this confidence into Spring Training, I think he could certainly provide quality starts for the Knights this season.

The White Sox could certainly benefit from Fulmer becoming a starting pitcher, but they could also use him as a reliever. If Fulmer is unable to develop consistency on the mound in the big leagues, he could be better suited as a seventh or eight inning option out of the bullpen. With Fulmer’s newfound confidence and determination to be a starting pitcher, the White Sox could boast a young and solid rotation very soon.

Fulmer has potential to be a fourth or fifth starter at the big league level. This season should prove if he can handle a starter’s workload, or if he will need to focus on being a full-time reliever. The White Sox shouldn’t rush Fulmer’s development this season as they won’t be contending.

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