20
2011
MMO Top 20 Mets Prospects – #19 Michael Fulmer, RHP
An article by 
Well here we go with the second installment of the Official MetsMerizedOnline 2012 Mets Top 20 Prospects list, featuring RHP Michael Fulmer of the GCL Mets, at #19. When the Mets made Fulmer their 1st round sandwich pick in the 2011 draft (44th overall), as compensation for losing Pedro Feliciano as a free-agent, many scouts said he would be a very tough sign due to a commitment to attend the University of Arkansas. The Mets persuaded the 18-year-old from Oklahoma to forgo college and begin his professional career immediately, and they are very glad they did.
At 6’3″ and 200 lbs. Fulmer has good size, and has gained anywhere from 5-7 mph on his fastball in the last calendar year, while growing an inch in height and putting on about 20 lbs. His heater is now in the mid 90′s with his fastball topping out at 97. He has a very promising secondary pitch he is now throwing at 83-85 mph, that is thrown with a tight rotation and comes in with a sharp downward break. The most impressive thing about his breaking pitch, is he can throw it for strikes, which makes it a potentially devastating out-pitch. His change-up, like most high school pitchers, is a work-in-progress at this time, and will be something he must refine to find success as a starter beyond the lowest levels of the minors. He has shown good stamina on the mound, and should develop into a pitcher who can throw deep into games.
Michael was nice enough to grant me an interview last night, answering questions during Game 1 of the 2011 World Series. Thank you so much Michael the readers at MetsMerizedOnline.com really appreciate it.
Petey: First of all Michael, congratulations on a very exciting 2011! After becoming the 44th overall pick for the Mets in the 2011 MLB Amateur draft, your development over the next several seasons will be fun to watch as you climb the Minor League ladder to the Big Leagues. Thank you so much for sharing a little of your time. When the Mets drafted you in the Supplemental 1st round of the 2011 MLB Player Draft, how did you first hear about it, and what was that feeling like? Did you know the Mets were interested in drafting you?
Michael: On draft night I had a little party with my friends and immediate family. We were watching the draft on TV and to get that call from the Mets to say that they were interested in me at the 44th pick was the second most exciting thing in my life. The first being able to see my name and face on national television actually living my life long dream of becoming a professional baseball player.
Petey: Is there one person, a coach, a friend or family member, or even another player, who you learned the most from, or who inspired you to chase your dream of becoming a major league baseball player?
Michael: My parents were always supportive of me no matter what I did. I have to thank them for that. Second of all my coaches at the great Deer Creek High School. All the coaches helped me out a ton with different aspects of the game of baseball along with the lessons of life. And of course my teammates who are always beside me no matter what before during or after the game.
Petey: We have heard that you throw very hard, and have a very good off-speed pitch, but could you tell us a little more about your arsenal? What pitches you throw, at what speeds, and are you working on any new pitches moving forward?
Michael: I pitch off my fastball. That is my favorite pitch and also the pitch I need to work on most as far as command. I throw a 12-6 curveball, a slider, and a changeup which is getting a lot better while working with the pitching coaches.
Petey: You only pitched in 4 games after signing late last year, but during those 5 plus innings of work, were you able to get an idea of what you need to work on as a pitcher to succeed against tougher competition?
Michael: Yes, pro ball is very different from high school ball. I’ve learned that I got away with a lot of pitches in high school that I do not in pro ball. Command is the name of the game. Learn how to pitch now and not just throw.
Petey: Going from amateur to professional baseball will cause you to throw more innings. What kind of things will you do to stay in shape over the winter? Can you describe your workout regimen? Did the Mets give you specific things to work on?
Michael: My offseason will consist of the workout program that the wonderful strength and conditioning coaches gave us. Getting stronger, more flexible, balance, and all around stamina. Anything will help for upcoming spring training.
Petey: What was your favorite baseball team growing up? Your favorite player?
Michael: My all time favorite player is Curt Schilling. So I kind of followed him around when he played for the Diamondbacks and the Red Sox.
Petey: Is there a major league pitcher that you think you are similar to in style? Or someone that you can see yourself pitching like someday in the majors?
Michael: Not so much any certain pitcher in the Majors because they all have something I do not. They all have the skillset and know exactly what they have to do to be there. I have a lot of work to get close to any big league pitcher.
Petey: What are your goals for next season? Is there a particular club you hope to make out of spring training? Have the Mets made any indication of what they are planning for you next season, or are those things decided in ST?
Michael: My goal next season is to get better as a person and a ball player each and every day. The Mets organization have a plan for me and my goal is to impress them and get better every opportunity I get, always working hard.
Petey: What one thing did you learn in pro ball this year? What was your team like in the GCL? Was there any one player that really impressed you with his play?
Michael: In the GCL this year I learned that all my teammates can flat out play. It feels great just to be around guys who love the greatest game on earth as much as I do. My confidence on the mound has increased a lot because I know the guys behind me will get it done.
Petey: And to finish up Michael, just a little personal info, not pertaining to baseball. What is your favorite movie? Favorite musician or band? Favorite food?
Michael: Favorite movie is Major League 1 and 2. Favorite band is Skillet, and Jason Aldean. And favorite food has to be grilled chicken with honey mustard to dip in!
Petey: Thanks again Michael for being so kind as to participate in this interview! And congratulations on making my MetsMerizedOnline 2012 Mets Top 20 Prospects List. Take care, and looking forward to seeing you on the “bump” next year!
Michael: Thank you Pete, I appreciate it!
It sounds like the Mets got themselves a great kid with solid skills and potential. Not only is he a big strong pitcher with a great arm and a lot of talent, but they got an intelligent and dedicated young man, who knows what he needs to do to succeed, and has the drive to do it. It may take a few years, but I have no doubt that if healthy, this man is headed to the Bigs someday.
Look for Fulmer to stay in extended ST next year, and then begin the season with a short-season rookie league team, most likely either the GCL Mets or Kingsport.
Check back for the rest of my 2012 Top 20 Mets Prospect List, right here on MMO.
Next Up: Number 18
My short list includes:
- Jefry Marte - 3B
- Akeel Morris - RHP
- Collin McHugh - RHP
- Juan Urbina - LHP
About the Author: Peter Shapiro
The first time I went to Shea was not for a Mets game, it was for the Beatles concert there in August of '66. My first Met game was '67, a guy named Salty Parker was the interim-manager then. My first pennant race was 1969. As a 12 year-old that summer and fall, I managed to get to the park for 3 games. The first was the beginning of the Miracle which actually started on Tuesday July 8, 1969 with a day game against the Cubs. I was there a lot in '73. I saw games 3 & 5 of the 1973 NL Playoffs against the "Big Red Machine", from the upper deck behind home plate. It was from there that I witnessed the fight between Bud Harrelson and Pete Rose, and the mayhem that ensued. And that sweet victory in game 5! I saw a couple of WS games at Shea that year against that legendary Oakland A's club. I was there in 1985 for every single game Dr. K pitched including his two 16 strikeout performances, and the day he one-hit the Cubs on an infield single and the Mets won 1-0. I loved being a Met fan in those days. Hopefully we are once again preparing to emerge from the darkness.
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pete, great job, with most of the good writers from back in the day gone, you and satish are rapidly becoming 2 of the best here..
great interview, fulmer seems like a god humble kid, i hope he can help us down the road, i think he’ll be ready before many of the other prospect, as reliever guy is more about handling the pressure of an inning during a season, then starters during a whole season.. he throws hard, which i like, you can never have too many power throwing arms in the minors.
Thanks a lot alex! That’s nice to hear coming from you, Petey salutes the core! Yes I really like this kid too, he will be easy to root for!
Petey salutes the core!”
HA!!! careful pete, ppl might think you’re turning to the dark side
keep up the good work
the more guys like this they can collect, the better off the future will be. Not that they all make the mets or become top rotation pitchers, but because they will have pitching prospects to trade to fill other holes, and they are always a hot commodity.
and some of the live power arms that never quite develop enough to be SPs in the majors can also help put together a serious BP (like the Cards, and many other teams).
better to have guys like this, or Holt, or Mejia that aren’t quite ready or able to be SPs but have nasty 2 pitch stuff out there instead of the Carrascos of the world.
i think at some point we can see eric niesen as a bullpen guy.. the kid can bring it and is a lefty, has a nice slider that can put lefties away, only problem is that he’s been hurt.. i like niesen and i think he’ll do better as a bullpen guy instead of being a starter. takes less toll in his arm.
I think Urbina has some nasty stuff too for a lefty.
JOE D,
here, check his scouting report. i also think this kid will help us somehow by 2012-2013…
http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/get-to-know-mets-prospect-juan-urbina/
Urbina had extreme talent.I hope he learns how to pitch cause he’s nasty.
Great interview Pete. You really asked the right questions. Great question about his teammates BTW. I was really hoping we would have selected Trevor Story with our 44th pick (he went 45th to Colorado) but you cannot argue with the selection, and most importantly the signing of a power HS arm. He certainly sounds like a kid committed to doing everything possible to be the best he can be.
The supplemental round has an incredible amount of talent available every year and with a little bit of planning and foresight a team can snag an extra guy or two like this every year and really build up some depth and not infrequently a real long term solution. Great job and I’m looking forward to the rest of your interviews and articles and best of luck to Michael. We’ll be rooting for him and following him as he makes his climb.
Regarding Eric Niesen he was transitioned into the bullpen full time early in 2010. He’s never really been hurt since he became a pro, his problems have all been with getting behind in the count and walking guys. He’ll be 26 next year and will be making his fourth attempt to conquer AA. There is no chance that we will be putting him on the 40 man roster and it’s possible that someone selects him in the rule 5 draft. As a LOOGY, he could be buried in the pen and brought out for one or two hitters every third day while working on his command. Whether he could stick a full year on a MLB roster is another matter but 29 teams will have the chance to take him and find out. Chances are no one does, and he goes to Binghamton and hopefully puts it together.
Regarding Eric Niesen he was transitioned into the bullpen full time early in 2010. He’s never really been hurt since he became a pro”
WRONG… he was hit by nicklaus on a throw to second.. then his walk issues became alarmig..
here:
Regarding Eric Niesen he was transitioned into the bullpen full time early in 2010. He’s never really been hurt since he became a pro
Niesen missed a month after getting hit in the back of the head like Alex said.
“Niesen, who could emerge as a lefty specialist in the bullpen in 2011, especially if Pedro Feliciano departs as a free agent, was 4-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 33 appearances (13 starts) with Binghamton. He missed a month with a concussion after getting struck in the back of the head with a throw from catcher Mike Nickeas to second base on a steal attempt while on the mound.”
espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/10965/afl-roster-set
You’re right that he got in the head with a throw to second, but Niesen’s problem has always been command and it’s only been exacerbated since he’s moved to the bullpen. He’s got good stuff but he has no idea where it’s going. He’d really have to turn his career around to have any shot at big league time. Like t agee said, he’s already had 3 seasons at Binghamton and was DEMOTED midseason to St. Lucie (granted he was better there, but he still has to prove he can be effective in AA and AAA).
I’m more curious to see what happens with Niesen’s teammate, lefty Rob Carson, who looks like he’s going to make the move to the bullpen for good this season. He’s pitching in relief in the AFL right now and has the stuff to be a good lefty reliever, if he can just harness his command.
Alright so he’s lost a month in five years, lets not make him out to be Stephen Matz or Brien Taylor or something.
Thanks agee!
Another Lefty consideration for the pen Alex that was Niesen’s teammate is Josh Edgin. In a recent interview Backman did on WFAN with Ed Randall Backman said he thought Edgin was probably the best lefthanded pitcher in the Mets Minor Leagues. He said Edgin threw 95-96mph with a good breaking ball.
MNJ, i don’t get why this kid hasn’t been brought up yet!!! he’s pitching well, wherever he’s been he’s done good. i wonder the same thing..
to be honest for me to see byrdak and that midget pitching i rather see all these mets guys in the pen. this kid throws hard, and even depodesta praised about him last year:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/tag/_/name/josh-edgin
Edgin is still too far away, that’s why. He only finished the year in St. Lucie. However, he’s a very good looking prospect with a mid-90′s fastball and a legitimate wipeout slider, according to Toby Hyde. He’ll probably start the year in Binghamton but perhaps, if he pitches like he did in 2011, he could see the majors later on in 2012.
The other lefty I really like is this year’s 5th rounder Jack Leathersich, taken out of UMass. He was throwing 88-92 as a starter but when he moved to relief, he was throwing 92-96 and supposedly touching 98 with an excellent offspeed pitch. The proof is in the numbers at Brooklyn, too. Granted, it’s a small sample and it’s only the NYP League but in 12.2 innings, he struck out 26 batters (or 26 of the 38 batters he retired, he struck out). He’s probably going to go into the Savannah rotation next year to get innings to work on command but if they decide to use him in a bullpen role eventually (which is his likely major league outcome), he could move really really fast.
huh, good observation.. i hadn’t heard about him..
I detailed those guys in my piece two weeks ago, the left-handers: http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/10/prospect-pulse-the-left-handed-pitchers.html
in case you missed it.
Nice job on this. I been hearing so much about Nimmo that our other top pick has been completely overshadowed. I bet we see Fulmer long before Nimmo in a Mets uniform. Hopefuly they both get here by 2014 and are as good as advertised.
Thanks for the good read Pete. Looking forward to the rest of them. So Fulmer likes Christian Rock. Truth is when I 1st heard Skillet if no one told me they were Christian Rock I would of never known by the lyrics.
Glad you like it MNJ, and kevin, thank you too! I have some more interviews on the way too, can’t wait to share them with you!
Nice job Petey, you hit it out of the park. Thanks to you too, Michael. I look forward to following your progress and excited about watching you realize all that incredible potential. Have a great offseason and let’s catch up again in the spring.
Thanks Joe!
Good post. I really like the potential of Nimmo but we shouldn’t forget about Fulmer, who really looks like a potential stud. Obviously, we have to remember TINSTAAPP when talking about young pitchers, especially guys this far away from the majors but it sounds like Fulmer would’ve likely been an easy first rounder in a draft that wasn’t this extraordinarily deep in pitching prospects. Plus, from what I’ve read of him, he really seems like he’s smart and he’s focused. Those intangibles are important for young prospects and thankfully, he and Nimmo seem to share both of those traits.
I look forward to hopefully seeing both of these guys in Citi Field in a few years! We’re all rooting for you!
I agree, that’s an aspect to the Mets farm system that is becoming more apparent these days. Many players have been brought in since 2008 that are more than just players. They are good people, smart, athletic and true competitors. I like that the farm has been preaching aggressiveness, work ethic, fundies, and mental focus. I have interviewed several pitchers lately, and they are all talking about the importance of fastball command. I like that. It makes for a system-wide philosophy of aggressive pitching.
nice job Petey
Thanks jessep! really appreciate it!!
I am still surprised by this pick. If Nimmo didn’t sign, they get the pick back, if Fulmer didn’t sign, they lose it all together since he was a supplemental pick.
Big gamble on a high schooler. Glad to see they did sign him.
For a little while I was almost certain he was going to take the college route based on some of what I was reading at the time. I’m glad he signed and he looks like a potential nice arm for us down the road.