Fulmer strikes out 9 as Chicago White Sox roll over Giants
Is Carson Fulmer going to be a future starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox?
Or is he going to be a reliever?
"We are still trying to define," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "In his heart, his desire is to be a starter. Most guys that end up becoming relievers at some point were starters first, but that story has yet to be written.
"We don't know yet what he's going to be."
After starting for Class AAA Charlotte this season and making 1 start for the White Sox in Game 2 of an Aug. 21 doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins, Fulmer rejoined the major-league club on Sept. 1.
He made 2 relief appearances for the Sox, but Fulmer got the start Sunday in an 8-1 victoryt over the San Francisco Giants at Guaranteed Rate Field.
In 6 innings, the 23-year-old righty allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks to go with 9 strikeouts.
Fulmer certainly has earned himself more looks as a starter.
"I wouldn't say it's an audition," said Fulmer, the White Sox's first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) in 2015. "We all work hard to get to this place, and I think it's more of a comfortability thing at this point. Getting experience, facing a good lineup like I did today. And building off of each start.
"Next year is next year. We still have a lot to accomplish right now. We are going to do everything we can to continue to do well and carry out this season strong."
Fulmer looked very strong Sunday.
While earning his second major-league win - and first as a starter - he struck out the side in each of the first two innings.
"I had really good life on my fastball," said Fulmer, who was 7-9 with a 5.79 ERA in 25 starts with Charlotte this season. "I was able to command my off-speed pitches, and it was one of those days where you settle in pretty quick and you get your routine and momentum right off the start.
"I always like strikeouts, obviously. I was able to get ahead with a lot of guys and challenge them with the ball up in the zone. I had a little extra with my fastball today. My breaking ball later in the game was able to get a couple of guys swinging, and overall it was a great day. I feel really good and it was a good one to build off of."
Is Fulmer building toward a spot in the White Sox's 2018 rotation?
"Fulmer right now is going to be pitching so that we can continue to assess what we can do with him," Renteria said. "It would be fair to say whether it's in relief or starting, getting him the innings he can get right now is important.
"Putting our eyes on him in September is a little better than doing it in the spring. It is still in the flow of the season and we can see where he's at."