Michael Fulmer

Michael Joseph Fulmer Bio

Michael Joseph Fulmer is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. Fulmer won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2016 and was selected as an All-Star in 2017. He was born on March 15, 1993, in Edmond, Oklahoma, and attended Deer Creek High School there before beginning his professional career.

Early Life and Background

Michael Joseph Fulmer grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he attended Deer Creek High School. During his senior year, Fulmer established himself as a dominant two-way player, going 10-2 with a 0.72 earned run average and 127 strikeouts on the mound while also hitting .436 with six home runs at the plate. His exceptional high school performance attracted attention from college programs, and he committed to play baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks before beginning his professional journey.

Fulmer’s success in high school baseball made him one of the top prospects in the country entering the 2011 MLB Draft. His combination of pitching ability and offensive skills made him an attractive selection for major league teams seeking versatile talent.

Path to Professional Baseball

The New York Mets selected Fulmer in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his professional debut that season with the Gulf Coast Mets, where he appeared in four games with a 0-1 record and a 10.13 earned run average. He spent the 2012 season with the Savannah Sand Gnats, starting 21 games and posting a 7-6 record with a 2.74 earned run average and 101 strikeouts over 108 and one-third innings. Baseball America ranked him as the Mets’ seventh-best prospect prior to the 2013 season.

Fulmer’s development continued through the Mets’ minor league system despite injury setbacks in 2013. He pitched for both the Gulf Coast Mets and the St. Lucie Mets that season, finishing with a 3.33 earned run average and a 3-3 record. In 2014, he split time between St. Lucie and the Double-A Binghamton Mets, starting 20 games with a 6-11 record and 87 strikeouts.

Michael Joseph Fulmer Career

Detroit Tigers Breakthrough (2016-2017)

The New York Mets traded Fulmer and Luis Cessa to the Detroit Tigers on July 31, 2015, in exchange for Yoenis Cespedes. Fulmer immediately made an impact in the Tigers’ system, earning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors and eventually being named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year after going 10-3 with a 2.24 earned run average and 125 strikeouts between Erie and Binghamton.

Fulmer made his major league debut on April 29, 2016, against the Minnesota Twins, earning the win by allowing two earned runs over five innings with four strikeouts. He quickly established himself as one of baseball’s top young pitchers. On May 21, he recorded his first home start at Comerica Park, surrendering just one earned run and striking out 11 batters over seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the first Tigers rookie to strike out 11 batters in a game since Pat Underwood in 1979. On June 1, he pitched six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, allowing only two hits. Fulmer became the first pitcher in Tigers history to pitch three consecutive scoreless outings of six innings or more while allowing three or fewer hits.

Throughout June 2016, Fulmer continued his dominant run, extending his scoreless streak to 33 and one-third innings, breaking the previous Tigers rookie record of 28 and two-thirds set by John Hiller in 1967. This streak was the longest by a rookie pitcher in baseball since Orel Hershiser threw 32 scoreless innings in 1984. On August 14, he recorded his first career complete game and shutout against the Texas Rangers. Fulmer finished the 2016 season with an 11-7 record, 3.06 earned run average, and 132 strikeouts in 159 innings pitched. He won the Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year Award, the MLB Players Association Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Rookie, and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America AL Rookie of the Year Award, receiving 26 of 30 first-place votes.

In 2017, Fulmer continued his success, going 9-6 with a 3.19 earned run average and 13 quality starts in the first half, earning his first American League All-Star selection. However, his season was derailed by right elbow ulnar neuritis, which required an MRI that revealed no ligament damage. He was placed on the disabled list in early August and later underwent elbow surgery for ulnar nerve transposition on September 11, ending his season. He finished 2017 with a 10-12 record, 3.83 earned run average, and 114 strikeouts in 164 and two-thirds innings.

Struggles and Injuries (2018-2020)

The 2018 season proved challenging for Fulmer as he struggled to a 3-9 record with a 4.50 earned run average before the All-Star break. He was placed on the disabled list in July with a left oblique strain and later underwent surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee in September. Fulmer finished the season with a 3-12 record, 4.69 earned run average, and 110 strikeouts in 132 and one-third innings, with his earned run average, walks plus hits per inning pitched, and hits allowed per nine innings all reaching career highs.

Prior to the 2019 season, Fulmer signed a one-year contract worth $2.8 million with the Tigers. In March, the team announced he would undergo Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow pain during a bullpen session, causing him to miss the entire 2019 season. He returned in 2020 after signing another one-year deal worth $2.8 million, serving in an opener role and appearing in 10 games with a 0-2 record and an 8.78 earned run average.

Bullpen Transition and Recent Career (2021-2025)

In 2021, Fulmer agreed to a one-year $3.1 million contract and began the season in the bullpen before joining the starting rotation due to injuries. He won his first start on April 14 against the Houston Astros and soon returned to the bullpen, recording his first career save in an extra-innings win over the Boston Red Sox on May 6. Overall in 2021, he appeared in 52 games with a 5-6 record, 2.97 earned run average, 14 saves, and 73 strikeouts in 69 and two-thirds innings.

Fulmer signed a one-year $4.95 million contract with the Tigers in March 2022 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins on August 2 for pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long. With the Twins, he made 26 appearances down the stretch, posting a 2-2 record and 3.70 earned run average with 22 strikeouts in 24 and one-third innings.

On February 20, 2023, Fulmer signed a one-year $4 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He appeared in 58 games with a 3-5 record and 4.42 earned run average, registering 65 strikeouts and two saves. Following the season, he underwent UCL revision surgery and was expected to miss the 2024 season. He signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in February 2024 and returned to action in 2025, beginning with Triple-A Worcester before having his contract selected on April 13, 2025. He made his Red Sox debut the following day against the Tampa Bay Rays and was designated for assignment on April 18, electing free agency on April 20.

Fulmer returned to the Chicago Cubs on April 23, 2025, signing another minor league contract. He was designated for assignment on June 26 and sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on June 29, but elected free agency the following day. He then signed with the Kansas City Royals in July 2025, appearing in 15 games with Triple-A Omaha before being released in August. Fulmer signed with the Seattle Mariners later in August 2025, making 12 appearances with Triple-A Tacoma and recording a 0.75 earned run average before electing free agency following the season.

Driving Style and Strengths

Fulmer features a power repertoire, throwing four-seam and two-seam fastballs that average 94-97 miles per hour, topping out at 99 miles per hour. His offspeed offerings include a slider in the 88-93 miles per hour range and a changeup averaging 85-88 miles per hour. After struggling in his first four major league starts, he developed an effective changeup that opponents hit at only a .167 clip for the remainder of the 2016 season. In 2017, he added a knuckle curve averaging 77-80 miles per hour, and by 2021, he increased his slider velocity to an average of 91 miles per hour.

Notable Events and Milestones

Fulmer’s rookie season in 2016 stands as his career highlight, capturing the American League Rookie of the Year Award and setting a Tigers franchise record with his 33 and one-third consecutive scoreless innings. His 2017 All-Star selection demonstrated his continued prominence in the league before injury derailed his campaign. His transition from starting pitcher to relief role in 2021 produced 14 saves, showcasing his adaptability. The elbow surgeries he underwent have represented significant obstacles in his career trajectory.

Michael Joseph Fulmer Career Wins

Across his major league career, Fulmer has compiled a record of 37 wins and 50 losses with a 3.95 earned run average and 578 strikeouts through the 2025 season. His best season came in 2016 when he went 11-7 with a 3.06 earned run average and finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting while winning Rookie of the Year honors. His 2017 All-Star campaign saw him post a 10-12 record despite missing the end of the season due to elbow surgery.

Career Highlights

Fulmer’s most successful stretch occurred during his rookie season when he dominated American League hitters with his power fastball and developing offspeed pitches. His complete game shutout against the Texas Rangers on August 14, 2016, provided one of his signature moments. His ability to pitch effectively as both a starter and reliever has defined his versatility throughout his career.

Other Notable Performances

His 2021 season demonstrated his effectiveness in a relief role, as he recorded 14 saves and posted a 2.97 earned run average across 52 appearances. The transition to the bullpen allowed him to focus on shorter outings while maintaining his high velocity stuff.

Michael Joseph Fulmer Family

Family Background and Early Influences

While detailed family information remains private, Fulmer’s roots in Edmond, Oklahoma, provided him with the foundation to develop his baseball skills through local high school baseball programs. His two-way performance at Deer Creek High School indicated his athletic versatility from an early age.

Personal Life

Fulmer married his girlfriend Kelsey Miles in January 2016, just before his rookie season with the Tigers began. During the offseasons, he has worked as a plumber’s assistant, demonstrating his connection to life outside baseball and his practical approach to career development.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a year of transitions for Fulmer as he worked his way back from UCL revision surgery. He began the year with Triple-A Worcester in the Boston Red Sox organization before having his contract selected in April. His brief stint with the Red Sox saw him make one appearance, allowing three runs in two and two-thirds innings against the Tampa Bay Rays before being designated for assignment. He subsequently returned to the Chicago Cubs organization, signing a minor league deal in late April and appearing in games at the major league level before being sent to Triple-A Iowa. After electing free agency, he joined the Kansas City Royals system but struggled to a 5.89 earned run average in 15 appearances with Omaha. His final stop of the season came with the Seattle Mariners organization, where he found more success with a 0.75 earned run average over 12 appearances with Triple-A Tacoma. The season demonstrated his continued resilience while working toward reclaiming a consistent major league role.