Fulmer Bursts Onto Scene For Tigers, Looks to Extend Momentum Versus Jays

By Will Burchfield
Having won his past three starts in dominating fashion, Tigers' rookie Michael Fulmer will look to build on his recent momentum when he takes the mound Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The scruffy-faced right hander is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA since his May 21 start against Tampa Bay. Through 22 1/3 innings in that span, opponents are hitting just .120 against him.

Fulmer's emergence has helped compensate for the struggles of Anibal Sanchez, who was recently demoted to the bullpen. In fact, along with Jordan Zimmermann and the resurgent Justin Verlander, Fulmer has become a key cog in one of the most impressive starting pitching trios in the American League.

"He's got that mentality, even in Spring Training when we were first getting to know him, we could tell he had that bulldog mentality," said relief pitcher Mark Lowe. "Nothing really fazes him, he just goes right at guys and competes every time out."

To fans around the league, Fulmer may be somewhat of a mystery. Where certain rookie phenoms like Steven Matz and Kenta Maeda were known commodities entering this season – and kudos to them, for matching the hype – Fulmer has seemed to burst onto the scene without warning.

To Tigers fans, though, Fulmer has long been a household name. He was acquired along with Luis Cessa in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes at last year's trade deadline, and instantly became one of the organization's top pitching prospects. With Cespedes pounding the ball in New York and Cessa no longer in Detroit's system, the trade could have easily become a bust.

Thanks to Fulmer, it's anything but.

Through two months of the 2016 season, he ranks first among A.L. rookie starters with a 3.24 ERA and five wins. And on the Tigers' staff, only Zimmermann has better numbers in those categories.

For Fulmer, the Major League road hasn't been without its bumps. After a terrific debut against the Twins, he was touched up for ten hits and five runs his next time on the mound, and failed to pitch out of the fifth inning two starts later.

But the Tigers maintained faith in Fulmer, and it was around that time he developed an uncanny feel for his changeup. That pitch, coupled with a heavy fastball and sharp breaking ball, has turned Fulmer into a much more imposing presence on the mound.

"It's made it really difficult for hitters to get locked in on a specific pitch. And if they're looking location, it offsets everything," Lowe explained.

Matt Boyd, another young starter looking to make his mark in Detroit, praised the versatility of Fulmer's arsenal.

"He's just got great stuff. He's got a big fastball, a great slider and a change up that gets better every outing. When you look at the stuff, as far as big-league ability, it's all there," Boyd said.

For all the praise about Fulmer's ability, his success is ultimately a product of self-belief.

"He's confident in himself, man, and that's the separating factor. He believes in his stuff and you can see the results out there," said Boyd.

With the heavy-hitting Blue Jays set to take on Fulmer next, the rookie seems poised to stare down the challenge.