Josh Fleming, a left-handed pitcher who was never known for overpowering velocity like the Rays’ past stars such as David Price, Blake Snell, or Shane McClanahan, carved out his own niche in the team’s bullpen. Fleming first made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2020, during the shortened season, and spent several years bouncing between the major leagues and Triple-A. Unfortunately, his 2023 season was marred by a stint on the 60-day IL before he was sent down to Durham after a brief return to the majors.
After being claimed by the Phillies, Fleming wasn’t tendered a contract, leading him to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2024 season. However, his time with Pittsburgh was short-lived, as he spent much of the season moving between Triple-A and the big leagues, eventually being designated for assignment in late July. Now, Fleming has signed a minor-league deal with the Seattle Mariners.
Known for his unique pitching style, Fleming relies on a mix of a sinker, changeup, and cutter, occasionally using a curveball in his arsenal, though he threw it only 6% of the time with the Pirates. He isn’t a pitcher who racks up strikeouts; instead, he gets batters to chase weak contact or forces them to put the ball in play, using his defense effectively. His best season came in 2021, when he posted a 0.6 fWAR and a solid FIP of 4.36 in 26 games and 11 starts.
Over the course of his career, Fleming’s pitching approach has evolved, with his sinker and changeup taking on a greater role compared to the cutter he relied on in his early years. The Mariners may look to bring back the effectiveness of his cutter, a pitch that was more successful than his other offerings, according to the Stuff+ metric. Despite Seattle’s established starting rotation, Fleming may find his way into a long-relief bullpen role, considering the Mariners’ reputation for developing pitchers. While it seems unlikely he’ll serve in a high-leverage role due to his lack of velocity, his change-of-pace style could still complement the Mariners’ hard-throwing bullpen arms.
For Rays fans, watching Fleming’s journey with the Mariners offers a glimpse into the career paths of former players who may not have fully realized their potential with the team but could still have an impact elsewhere.
