To say Carson Fulmer has struggled this spring would be an understatement.
Opposing batters have collected 18 hits off the 24-year-old in just 6 2/3 innings of Cactus League work. Fulmer has not made things any easier by walking 10 while just notching five strikeouts.
The 2015 first round draft pick also lacks a track record of success at the big league level and his numbers at Triple-A Charlotte are not exactly screaming for high expectations from the right hander.
Still in a season that is more about getting younger players experience, manager Rick Renteria is going to give Fulmer another chance or two to earn the fifth rotation spot in the Sox rotation.
“We still have a little bit more trust in him than you might think,’’ Renteria said via the Sun Times. “I know we still have two more starts scheduled for him. We’ll see how the next one goes.’’
With Carlos Rodon out to start the season the White Sox will need one arm to add to a collection of James Shields, Lucas Giolito. Reynaldo Lopez and Miguel Gonzalez to start the season.
The biggest competition for the final rotation spot would figure to come from Hector Santiago who has appeared in three games this spring including one start. The White Sox removed Dylan Covey from their 40-man roster in February which gives an indication of what level the team figures the former Rule 5 pick will pitch at in 2018.
Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease and Jordan Guerrero have all made spring starts but it would be a major surprise to see any with the big league team at the end of next week.
