Mets Minors: Keep an eye on Michael Fulmer

New York Mets prospect Michael Fulmer, currently pitching for Double-A Binghamton, appears to be back on track after his last two seasons were derailed by injury.

Fulmer, a 22-year-old RHP, was drafted 44th overall in 2011. He had minor elbow surgery last season and saw the majority of his 2013 campaign wiped out due to a torn meniscus in his knee, but has been on a roll lately for Binghamton.

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Over his last four starts (24.1 innings), Fulmer has allowed just one run on 15 hits while walking four and striking out 26. During his start on Monday night, Fulmer struck out nine while walking none and allowing just three hits in seven innings of work to lower his ERA to 2.37.

Prior to his injury struggles, Fulmer was viewed as one of the highest upside arms in the organization, and his recent performance for Binghamton should put him back on the radar in that regard.

After Fulmer’s last healthy season, Toby Hyde of Mets Minor League Blog wrote the following about him:

"His fastball at 93-95 mph, ate up SAL hitters. He and (Frank) Viola prioritized working on his slider over the curveball. As the year went on, scouts’ grades on the pitch inched upward. He started throwing his changeup more, although it tended towards too firm. He made some mechanical adjustments, tucking his front hip, to give him better tempo and timing in his delivery."

At the time, Hyde noted that Fulmer would likely be in the Top 5 on his next Mets prospects list. Then the injuries hit.

While some believe Fulmer might wind up in relief, at 6’3″ and 200 pounds, he certainly has the size to stick as a a starter.

If Fulmer continues to excel, he could find himself at Triple-A Las Vegas by the end of the season, putting him just a call away from Citi Field.

The Mets aren’t in need of starting pitching help at the moment, but it’s nice to know that Fulmer is on track to be ready at some point next season.