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White Sox Minors Report: Update On Carson Fulmer Pitching in Triple-A

By Breven Daugherity

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 4: Carson Fulmer #51 of the Chicago White Sox is congratulated by manager Rick Renteria #17 as he is relieved and exits the game in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 4, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 4: Carson Fulmer #51 of the Chicago White Sox is congratulated by manager Rick Renteria #17 as he is relieved and exits the game in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 4, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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White Sox pitcher has been working out of the bullpen recently for Triple-A Charlotte. Will he regain his confidence and return to the Majors?

It’s been a while since we’ve heard exciting news about Carson Fulmer. Since the 24-year old righty was optioned to Triple A-Charlotte on May 19, there has not been much talk regarding his name. So how exactly is the International League treating him thus far?

Well, unfortunately Fulmer has been going through a lot of what he did while in the majors. His control still seems to be faltering him. He has walked 34 batters in 49 innings pitched, and currently holds a 5.69 earned run average. However, the ERA is a bit deceiving. Though Fulmer hasn’t been top notch during his Triple-A stint, he has flashed potential in a handful of games thus far.

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One of these games came early, as Fulmer wasted no time in showing what he can do following his demotion. His first start came on May 25 against the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pirates. He lasted five innings and only surrendered one run while striking out five batters. Less than two weeks later on June 5, he threw another great game against the Syracuse Chiefs, the National’s Triple-A affiliate. He went six innings while surrendering no runs on two hits.

Unfortunately, that was the last time Fulmer has been able to throw well. Following the game on June 5, Fulmer’s ERA was 2.12. To give you an idea of how downhill things went from there, just think about the fact that his ERA now sits at 5.69. In every outing since then, he has surrendered at least two runs with the exception of July 13. In fact, he has given up five runs in four different games since that game on June 5. It’s safe to say Fulmer’s stint in Charlotte has not been kind to him.

Why exactly is he struggling? The answer to that is in his numbers. More specifically, it’s in his walk numbers. As they always have, walks are haunting Fulmer right now. He has walked six batters on three separate occasions, and he has walked four in two others. All in all, Fulmer has issued the free pass 34 times already since being demoted on May 18th.

Here’s the thing, it’s not time to enter panic mode. As seen in his two successful starts, Fulmer has potential. Sure, his control is shaky. The thing is, that’s the exact reason he was sent down. Fulmer’s consistent poor performances that came during his Majors stint were all because of the walks. Until he proves he can keep walks at a minimum, we won’t see him back up.

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He’s an essential part of the rebuild and the future of the White Sox in general. Don’t lose faith in him, he’s extremely talented. Luckily for us, he’s also extremely young and has more than enough time to refine his pitching. His time will come, as will everyone else’s in the White Sox system.

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