Biographical

Portrait of Michael Fulmer

Michael Fulmer P  

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 26)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date3-15-1993
Height6' 3"
Weight224 lbs
Age31 years, 1 months, 9 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
2015
1.92016
3.42017
1.02018
1.82019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2016 DET MLB 26 26 159.0 11 7 0 136 42 132 16 109 7.7 2.4 0.9 7.5 51% .268 1.12 3.71 3.06 96 4.30 95.1 1.9
2017 DET MLB 25 25 164.7 10 12 0 150 40 114 13 109 8.2 2.2 0.7 6.2 51% .273 1.15 3.66 3.83 95 3.75 79.8 3.4
2018 DET MLB 24 24 132.3 3 12 0 128 46 110 19 102 8.7 3.1 1.3 7.5 47% .288 1.31 4.55 4.69 106 4.66 104.1 1.0
CareerMLB7575456.024310414128356481078.22.50.97.050%.2761.193.943.81994.2192.26.3

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2011 MTS Rk GCL 4 3 5.3 0 1 0 9 4 10 0 109 15.2 6.8 0.0 16.9 0% .563 2.44 2.46 10.13 75 6.48 132.3
2012 SAV A SAL 21 21 108.3 7 6 0 92 38 101 6 90 7.6 3.2 0.5 8.4 0% .284 1.20 3.65 2.74 97 3.98 82.8
2013 SLU A+ FSL 7 7 34.0 2 2 0 24 18 29 1 98 6.4 4.8 0.3 7.7 0% .245 1.24 3.85 3.44 107 3.78 82.1
2013 MTS Rk GCL 2 2 12.0 1 1 0 9 1 13 0 99 6.8 0.8 0.0 9.8 0% .281 0.83 1.79 3.00 80 1.93 42.0
2014 SLU A+ FSL 19 19 95.3 6 10 0 112 31 86 7 104 10.6 2.9 0.7 8.1 0% .347 1.50 3.76 3.97 99 5.46 115.6
2014 BIN AA EAS 1 1 3.3 0 1 0 6 3 1 1 110 16.2 8.1 2.7 2.7 0% .357 2.70 9.35 16.20 145 8.71 184.3
2015 SLU A+ FSL 1 1 7.0 0 0 0 4 0 9 1 82 5.1 0.0 1.3 11.6 0% .200 0.57 2.45 3.86 67 2.51 55.1
2015 BIN AA EAS 15 15 86.0 6 2 0 73 23 83 3 97 7.6 2.4 0.3 8.7 0% .293 1.12 2.63 1.88 82 4.03 88.3
2015 ERI AA EAS 6 6 31.7 4 1 0 27 7 33 4 100 7.7 2.0 1.1 9.4 0% .288 1.07 3.49 2.84 85 5.18 113.7
2016 DET MLB AL 26 26 159.0 11 7 0 136 42 132 16 109 7.7 2.4 0.9 7.5 51% .268 1.12 3.71 3.06 96 4.30 95.1
2016 TOL AAA INT 3 3 15.3 1 1 0 16 5 20 3 104 9.4 2.9 1.8 11.7 49% .325 1.37 4.27 4.11 83 3.91 86.3
2017 DET MLB AL 25 25 164.7 10 12 0 150 40 114 13 109 8.2 2.2 0.7 6.2 51% .273 1.15 3.66 3.83 95 3.75 79.8
2018 DET MLB AL 24 24 132.3 3 12 0 128 46 110 19 102 8.7 3.1 1.3 7.5 47% .288 1.31 4.55 4.69 106 4.66 104.1
2018 LAK A+ FSL 2 2 6.0 0 0 0 1 0 11 0 93 1.5 0.0 0.0 16.5 38% .125 0.17 -0.20 0.00 46 1.71 36.3

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2016 2467 0.4893 0.4820 0.7620 0.6645 0.3071 0.8267 0.6279 0.2380
2017 2441 0.4920 0.4879 0.7851 0.6753 0.3065 0.8693 0.6053 0.2149
2018 2144 0.5000 0.4981 0.7640 0.6530 0.3433 0.8357 0.6277 0.2360
Career70520.49350.48890.77060.66470.31790.84420.62000.2294

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-09-23 2014-09-23 Minors 0 0 Right Elbow Surgery Bone Spur 2014-09-23
2014-08-20 2014-09-05 Minors 16 0 Right Elbow Inflammation -
2013-03-12 2013-06-25 Minors 105 0 - Knee Surgery Meniscus 2013-03-12 -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2023 CHN $4,000,000
2022 DET $4,950,000
2021 DET $3,100,000
2020 DET $2,800,000
2019 DET $2,800,000
2018 DET $575,200
2017 DET $551,900
2016 DET $
YearsDescriptionSalary
7 yrPrevious$18,777,100
7 yrTotal$18,777,100

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
7 y 157 dBBI Sports2 years (2024-25)

Details
  • 2 years (2024-25). Signed by Boston as a free agent 2/24 (minor-league contract).
  • 1 year/$4M (2023). Signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 2/15/23.
  • 1 year/$4.95M (2022). Re-signed by Detroit 3/22/22 (avoided arbitration). Acquired by Minnesota in trade from Detroit 8/2/22 with $1,828,571 remaining on contract.
  • 1 year/$3.1M (2021). Re-signed by Detroit 1/12/21 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$2.8M (2020). Re-signed by Detroit 1/6/20 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$2.8M (2019). Lost arbitration case with Detroit 2/15/19 ($3.4M-$2.8M).
  • 1 year/$575,200 (2018). Re-signed by Detroit 3/18.
  • 1 year (2017). Re-signed by Detroit 3/17.
  • 1 year (2016). Contract selected by Detroit 11/20/15. Re-signed by Detroit 2/25/16.
  • Acquired by Detroit in trade from NY Mets 7/31/15.
  • Drafted by NY Mets 2011 (1s-44) (Deer Creek HS, Edmond, Okla.). $937,500 signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 0 10.7 0 24 24 139.6 107 37 119 12 .249 1.03 2.97 3.22 0.3 0.0
80o 0 10.8 0 23 23 133.5 109 37 113 12 .261 1.10 3.28 3.56 -4.5 -0.5
70o 0 10.8 0 22 22 129.3 110 38 110 12 .269 1.14 3.51 3.8 -7.7 -0.8
60o 0 10.9 0 21 21 125.7 111 38 107 12 .275 1.18 3.70 4.02 -10.4 -1.1
50o 0 10.9 0 21 21 122.3 112 38 104 13 .282 1.22 3.88 4.22 -12.7 -1.4
40o 0 10.9 0 20 20 119.1 112 38 101 13 .288 1.26 4.07 4.42 -14.9 -1.6
30o 0 11 0 20 20 115.6 113 38 98 13 .295 1.31 4.26 4.64 -17.1 -1.9
20o 0 11 0 19 19 111.6 113 39 95 13 .303 1.36 4.50 4.9 -19.6 -2.1
10o 0 10.9 0 18 18 106.2 113 39 90 13 .315 1.43 4.83 5.26 -22.7 -2.5
Weighted Mean010.902121122.31113810412.2811.213.874.2-12.4-1.4

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Michael Fulmer

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2020-05-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)What are your thoughts on the following pitchers in a dynasty league (assuming all are healthy once baseball starts again): Carlos Rodon, Michael Fulmer, Josh Lindblom. Thanks.
(TJ from The City)		I prefer Fulmer of the three pitchers here. People scoff at his strikeout percentage, but it's notable that he has a similar swinging-strike rate to Rodon. And he had much better control than Rodon before they both got injured. Lindblom is fascinating. Age is a problem (as he's just about to turn 33), but I think he's someone who can really miss bats with his new splitter. I'm just not sure whether he'll be anything more than a guy with an ERA in the low-to-mid fours. Add in the age factor, and I'll take Fulmer. (J.P. Breen)
2018-01-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)I have been posting that I feel by mid-2018 once the tigers have signed their #1pick (say brady singer) that they will have a top 2-3 system. The only other system I don't see being moved down by trades and graduations are the Padres. Who am I missing?
(a.j. from dallas)		So we are working on the Tigers list right now, and while the system is much improved I don't think it's a top half system let along a top tier one at the moment. One player just doesn't move it that much. Granted other things can happen (i.e Michael Fulmer trade), but they were starting from a similar point as the White Sox last offseason, and haven't moved nearly as many premium pieces. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-11-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you see any of these pitchers as likely to be a #1: Michael Baez, Mitch Keller, Forrest Whitley, Mackenzie Gore, Michael Fulmer, Justus Sheffield. Which ones? I’ve got them listed in my draft order . What do you think?
(temple from Madison WI)		I'd probably drop Baez behind the first two (and we have people that lurrrrrve Gore internally as well), but I also maybe wouldn't argue he has the best chance to be a #1 there. You could also argue Fulmer is actually the closest to *being* a 1, and you would of course be right, but his elbow situation is worrisome. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-07-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think the Cubs should trade Schwarber for Michael Fulmer if the deal is possible?
(BC from Urbandale)		It would be a sell low / buy high situation, for sure, but there are reasons for concern on Schwarber. He's already a bad body type and now he has a devastating knee injury under his belt. He's super talented, but can't really play defense either.

Normally trading a bat for an arm feels risky but Fulmer is basically sitting 96 and has a DRA of 3.00. Given organizational needs, I think if I'm the Cubs I do that and I'm pretty thrilled to do it. (Nick Schaefer)
2017-03-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)10 team OBP/QS dynasty. Trade my Benintendi for his Fulmer/Bellinger if I have Betts/Springer/Polanco already?
(Ceej from Pittsburgh)		Michael Fulmer, yes. Carson Fulmer, no. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-03-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)10 team OBP/QS dynasty. Trade my Benintendi for his Fulmer/Bellinger if I have Betts/Springer/Polanco already?
(Ceej from Pittsburgh)		Assuming this is Michael Fulmer, yeah, I'd do it. If it's Carson, I would NOT do it. (Matthew Trueblood)
2017-02-14 12:00:00 (link to chat)Can you list in order of overall potential and general preference: Michael Fulmer, Steven Matz, Robert Gsellman
(Doug from Long Island)		Ooh. It's really close once you factor in Matz's durability/injury questions. If forced to order them, I'd go Matz/Fulmer/Gsellman, but it's well within the fudge factor. (The Top 101 Prospect Chat with Jeffrey Paternostro)
2016-05-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)Can Michael Fulmer be any better than an SP3?
(Luke from LV)		Maybe! I think that's his realistic ceiling. But that's still pretty good. (Matthew Trueblood)
2016-02-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Matt - who are a couple prospects that havent been talked about too much that deserve more attention? You have a sleeper from the 2015 draft that you think is about to explode?
(Guy from Couch)		I know he's a top-100 guy, but I'll say Michael Fulmer. Him and Brandon Drury. I do NOT have a 2015 Draft sleeper. (Matthew Trueblood)
2016-01-29 11:00:00 (link to chat)Can you explain Shipley who is listed as a future #4 SP by BA is ranked #38, vs Michael Fulmer who is listed as a future #2/3 is ranked 87.
(Brad from NJ)		The simple explanation is that we're not BA. (Top 101 Chat with Craig Goldstein)
2015-08-25 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Michael Fulmer a starter or reliever? Comparable stuff to McCullers?
(Mr Kmetz from Queens)		He's a starter, and I think the pure stuff is pretty comparable, and MIGHT even be better. Now, I was the low man on McCullers so maybe I'm the wrong guy to ask, but still, that should tell you how much Fulmer has improved. (Christopher Crawford)
2015-07-23 17:00:00 (link to chat)Does Michael Fulmer have the stuff to project as a 1/2 starter in the majors?
(Sean from NY)		No. He's more of a #3 on the high end. (Mike Gianella)
2015-07-28 18:00:00 (link to chat)Your thoughts on Michael Fulmer? Is he legit?
(Sean from NY)		Third pitch determines whether he starts or not. I don't think he starts. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-06-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)See any of Michael Fulmer down there in the FSL?
(Howie from NYC)		Yes, here's a link to the report I wrote on him.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_pit.php?reportid=101

He's built like a starter but his arsenal says reliever. Two-pitch pitcher with below average fastball command. I should see him again at some point this season so hopefully there's some improvement to get excited about. (Jeff Moore)
2013-04-04 11:00:00 (link to chat)Michael Fulmer: At his best he could be a ....? And at worst, not developing the way the Mets see, he could be...? He's an intruiging arm!
(MetsFaithful5 from Syracuse)		Number three starter/Up and down starter (Jason Parks)
2012-04-03 12:00:00 (link to chat)What was the reasoning behind the decision to both place Michael Fulmer on the Savannah roster and keep Brandon Nimmo back in extended spring training? Will Fulmer be on a strict innings limit? I'm guessing we will see Nimmo in Brooklyn?
(Nick from Lynbrook, NY)		A lot goes into these decisions, and I always try to remind myself that they're temporary - we can change our minds tomorrow. Furthermore, whatever decisions we make are part of a longer term plan for each individual player. So, the short answer is that these assignments in no way change our expected timetable for either player. However, there are different experiences available that may prove valuable. For instance, Fulmer has the chance to join a staff led by Frank Viola that will have three accomplished college starters in the rotation. That has the potential to be a great developmental experience for him. We have similar thoughts in Brandon's case, but because we haven't made any final decisions yet, I won't share them now...sorry. (Paul DePodesta)


BP Roundtables

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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2024, Michael Fulmer threw 11,142 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2016 and 2023, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2023, he relied primarily on his Slider (86mph) and Fourseam Fastball (94mph), also mixing in a Sinker (95mph) and Change (90mph).