As we gear up for Opening Day, the free-agent market still boasts some intriguing names, including familiar faces for White Sox fans like Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech. While Giolito's impressive performance last season suggests he'll likely ink a deal soon, it's surprising that Kopech, known for his potential when healthy, remains unsigned.
Meanwhile, a former White Sox first-round pick, Carson Fulmer, has found a new opportunity. The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Fulmer to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Fulmer's journey has been a rollercoaster since his days as a standout at Vanderbilt, where he was a top-100 prospect. He debuted with the White Sox in 2016, but his tenure there didn't pan out as hoped.
Over four seasons, he posted a 6.56 ERA in 94 innings. After leaving the White Sox in 2019, Fulmer had brief stints with the Tigers and Orioles in 2020, totaling just 10.1 innings.
Many thought Fulmer's MLB career might be over by 2023, given his sparse appearances from 2020-2023 and missing the 2022 season. However, he bounced back in 2024 with the Angels, delivering 86.2 innings with a 4.15 ERA and a .8 WAR season-his best yet at age 30. Unfortunately, 2025 saw him struggle again, posting a 5.83 ERA over 29 innings with the Angels.
Now at 32, Fulmer is aiming for a comeback with the Pirates, having thrown 50 innings for their AAA team last season. With undeniable talent, Fulmer's challenge has been consistency.
His promising 2024 season showed glimpses of his potential, and there's hope he can replicate that success in Pittsburgh. Here's to Fulmer finding his stride and making a mark with the Pirates.