White Sox pitching prospect Carson Fulmer acknowledged he "got kicked around a little bit" in his first foray into the majors last season.
When the Sox needed bullpen help at the All-Star break, they called up their No. 8 overall draft pick from 2015 and asked him to make the move from starting to relieving. Eight appearances and an 8.49 ERA later, the Sox sent Fulmer back to the minors to start again and figure out his problems.
Seven months later, Fulmer, 23, believes he has corrected the mechanical issues that hurt him, and he’ll have a chance to prove it when he starts the Cactus League opener Saturday against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch.
"The coaching staff has told us young guys that to be a good pitcher in the big leagues, you have to have failure at one point," Fulmer said. "Last year for me I had some struggles. I needed to learn more about myself and my ability."
Sox general manager Rick Hahn wouldn’t say Tuesday that Fulmer had been rushed, but he did acknowledge he was brought to Chicago before his minor-league development was complete. That’s something the Sox have promised won’t happen with their new young crop of players as they move through a rebuild.
After Fulmer was sent back to Triple-A Charlotte, he worked on his mechanics with Richard Dotson, the former Sox pitcher who was then the Charlotte pitching coach and since has been promoted to minor-league pitching coordinator.
Fulmer said he was grateful to be able to take advice from Dotson, who spent 12 years in the majors and won 22 games for the Sox in 1983, and called him "my change."
Dotson spoke Tuesday of two things he tried to get Fulmer to focus on — controlling tempo and making sure the 6-foot right-hander stayed tall to create a better angle on his pitches.
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
"He has a great tempo, but make sure you’re controlling it," Dotson said. "You can’t get too quick, too fast because we rush out and get under the pitches.
"And making sure he’s staying tall. Yeah, you’re using your legs, but we’re not sinking down to use our legs. I understand drop and drive. I played with a guy who was the best drop-and-drive guy I ever saw, Tom Seaver."
After one rocky outing, Fulmer gave up one earned run on nine hits with three walks and 14 strikeouts in his final three starts with Charlotte.
"Carson’s one of those guys who’s pretty easy to work with," Dotson said. "He’s a good guy and he pays attention and he gives you the respect to listen to you."
While there has been external debate whether Fulmer will stick as a starter, Hahn said the Sox still believe that is his path, and he expects Fulmer to start the year in the Charlotte rotation.
As Fulmer tries to show he can return to the majors, he is taking a similar approach to spring training as he did last year — staying behind the scenes and trying to learn from the veterans.
"Your first spring training, you try not to say too much and you stay out of the older guys’ way," Fulmer said. "You really try to just take in as much information as you can. I’m still in that position. I still have to abide by those certain rules and really just continue to learn, but I definitely feel a lot more comfortable."
Fulmer grinned Friday when he heard Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw would be opposing him on the mound Saturday.
"I was hoping that," Fulmer said. "He’s a pitcher that you look up to. I hopefully can keep the scorecard or something."
Extra innings: Left-hander Jose Quintana will start at home Sunday against the Rockies, and top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito will start Monday against the Cubs at Sloan Park. … The Sox agreed to terms with 25 players, so everyone on the 40-man roster is under contract. Left-hander Carlos Rodon, who will receive $600,000, is the highest-paid of the group. The major-league minimum is $535,000.
ckane@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribKane
Queenbet Caption Rick Renteria on the Sox’s Cactus League opener
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses his approach to the team’s the Cactus League opener on Saturday on Feb. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses his approach to the team’s the Cactus League opener on Saturday on Feb. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Rick Renteria on the Sox’s Cactus League opener
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses his approach to the team’s the Cactus League opener on Saturday on Feb. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses his approach to the team’s the Cactus League opener on Saturday on Feb. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Carson Fulmer on starting the Sox’s Cactus League opener
Pitcher Carson Fulmer discusses his role in starting the White Sox’s Cactus League opener as well as the changes he made toward the end of last season on Feb. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Pitcher Carson Fulmer discusses his role in starting the White Sox’s Cactus League opener as well as the changes he made toward the end of last season on Feb. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Sox prospect Zack Burdi on attending Mark Buehrle’s perfect game
White Sox pitching prospect Zack Burdi recalls attending Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in July 2009: "Just being there and feeling that electric moment was pretty special." (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitching prospect Zack Burdi recalls attending Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in July 2009: “Just being there and feeling that electric moment was pretty special.” (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Sox pitching coach Don Cooper on Mark Buehrle: ‘He taught me a lot’
White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper recalls his favorite memories of Mark Buehrle’s career on Feb. 23, 2017, at spring training in Glendale, Ariz. The team will retire Buehrle’s number on June 24. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper recalls his favorite memories of Mark Buehrle’s career on Feb. 23, 2017, at spring training in Glendale, Ariz. The team will retire Buehrle’s number on June 24. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Todd Frazier on soreness in his left side
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier discusses soreness he felt in his left side during spring training on Feb. 22, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier discusses soreness he felt in his left side during spring training on Feb. 22, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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