The Chicago White Sox addressed their bullpen as they entered the second half, not by trading for a top relief pitcher but by calling up one of their top prospects. Carson Fulmer, the eighth overall pick in last year's 2015 MLB Amateur Draft, has been promoted from Double-A Birmingham and slid into the bullpen.
Fulmer registered a 1.96 ERA last season in nine starts between Rookie-level ball and High-A Winston Salem. This season for Birmingham, he holds a 4.76 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 90/51 K/BB ratio across 17 starts in 87 innings pitched. He had lowered his numbers after three rough months to start the season, with two starts in June where he allowed just two earned runs over 12 innings though still walked seven batters.
Fantasy owners should still stay away from Fulmer in standard, non-keeper leagues. While he could show plenty of strikeout ability out of the bullpen, only having to face batters once, his struggles to command his pitches along with pitching in non-save situations limits any fantasy appeal. He is still a must-own player in dynasty leagues, but for now this news has no fantasy impact.