3 years agoDetroit Tigers relief pitcher Michael Fulmer's fastball averaged 92.3 mph in his spring training debut on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates after averaging around 96 mph last year. Fulmer said he was "a little rusty" but wasn't overly concerned about his first outing. The 29-year-old right-hander threw eight of his 19 pitches for strikes and allowed two runs on two hits, one walk and a strikeout in one-third of an inning. Fulmer relied primarily on his slider and sinker last year, and his slider velocity was notably down as well on Wednesday. He finished last year with a 2.97 ERA with 20 walks, 73 strikeouts and 14 saves in 69 2/3 innings over 52 outings (four starts). Fulmer will be a high-leverage reliever in Detroit's bullpen, but his fantasy value is limited with Gregory Soto functioning as the closer.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold