Michael Fulmer Among MLB's Top 'Impact Prospects' In 2016, Says ESPN
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
The Detroit Tigers aren't normally praised for having a strong farm system, but the team took some steps last year to address that glaring need.
One of those moves was acquiring pitching prospect Michael Fulmer when former president and general manager Dave Dombrowski sent Yoenis Cespedes to the New York Mets.
Fulmer has yet to pitch in the Majors, but manager Brad Ausmus has said that the 22-year-old -- a starter in the minors -- could earn a spot in the Tigers' bullpen.
ESPN baseball insider Keith Law ranked Fulmer as one of 25 prospects around the MLB that could make an impact in the coming season.
"The Tigers seem very likely to need extra starter depth during the season, and though they have extra guys like Matt Boyd and Shane Greene hanging around, Fulmer is going to be their best option by midyear. It's hard to imagine them getting enough value from Mike Pelfrey, or enough starts from Anibal Sanchez and Justin Verlander, that Fulmer won't get a call by early summer."
Fulmer could be thrown into the rotation early if a triceps injury that Anibal Sanchez suffered this week spills over into the regular season, or if offseason acquisition Mike Pelfrey doesn't pan out. Though, a fill-in spot could be awarded to Matt Boyd instead, who started 10 games for the Tigers in 2015.
Fulmer was the Tigers' lone player on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list released at the end of January. In six starts for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves in 2015, Fulmer posted a 2.84 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.
