Fulmer wins Eastern League Pitcher of the Year
Bernard, Green join Tigers prospect on end-of-season All-Star team
TORONTO -- The Erie Seawolves own the second-worst record in the Double-A Eastern League, but they ended up with more players on the league's end-of-season All-Star team than any other club, headlined by the pitcher who joined the team just four weeks ago.
Before the Tigers acquired Michael Fulmer in the Yoenis Cespedes trade, the big right-hander was a dominant pitcher in the Mets' system at Double-A Binghamton. He didn't let up once he jumped across the league to Erie, and the combined effort earned him the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Year award.
Joining Fulmer on the All-Star team -- as voted on by league managers, coaches and media -- are outfielder Wynton Bernard and designated hitter Dean Green.
Fulmer, a supplemental first-round Draft pick of the Mets in 2011, owns a 10-3 record and 2.06 ERA in 20 Double-A starts. Five of those were for Erie, where he's 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA. He has allowed eight runs on 23 hits over 27 2/3 innings, walking six and striking out 29.
Fulmer is ranked No. 3 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 Tigers prospects list. His success gave rise to the idea that his time in the big leagues could be soon, possibly by season's end. Manager Brad Ausmus said earlier this week Fulmer was not discussed for a callup when Daniel Norris and Anibal Sanchez went on the disabled list, but that he is an option for a potential September callup.
The Tigers would have to place Fulmer on the 40-man roster to do that, but with Shane Greene and Norris possible options for the 60-day disabled list, finding a spot wouldn't be a problem. The question would be whether Detroit wants to tack on the innings; Fulmer has thrown 120 2/3 innings, 12 above his career high from three years ago. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2013.
Bernard, signed out of the Tigers' tryout camp a year and a half ago, entered Friday batting .296 (145-for-490) with 25 doubles, seven triples, four homers, 70 runs scored, 35 RBIs and 39 stolen bases in 54 attempts. He leads the league in steals and hits.
Green, playing at first base for Triple-A Toledo, batted .312 (101-for-324) with 15 homers, 60 RBIs and an .890 OPS in 90 games for the SeaWolves.