Amidst injuries and slumps from the Arizona Diamondbacks’ troupe of outfielders, prospect Dominic Fletcher has been summoned from the Minors. So, what should baseball fans expect from the 25-year-old outfielder? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers and skillet of new D-Backs outfielder Dominic Fletcher.
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A Look at Fletcher
A former college baseball standout, Dominic Fletcher shined on a dominant University of Arkansas squad in the late 2010s that featured 2020 top Orioles draft pick and fellow outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Fletcher was a career. 298 hitter at Arkansas, and showcased good pop alongside strong defensive abilities, as well above-average speed and plate discipline. The D-Backs made Fletcher a second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Since his pro debut in 2019, Fletcher’s been a rather consistent hitter. The 25-year-old hit above .300 in both 2022 and in Reno this season and posted double-digit home run campaigns in 2021 & 2022.
While he does have the ability to drive the ball, don’t expect eye-popping home run totals from the young outfielder. Do, however, expect Fletcher to put the ball in play on a regular basis and plenty of doubles & triples. Across two levels in 2022, Fletcher hit 35 doubles and 10 triples.
Fletcher’s calling card is his ability to play center field at a high-level. However, it’s likely that given the D-Backs’ outfield depth, Fletcher will get looks at all three outfield positions. Fletcher, for what it’s worth, did make his MLB debut at right field on April 30 when he subbed in late that day against the Rockies.
The 25-year-old’s callup marks yet another twist — albeit a very positive one — that Fletcher has received in 2023. In March, Fletcher, alongside his older brother David Fletcher, suited up for Team Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Across five games, Fletcher hit a very respectable .368/.478/.632 with a home run, three extra base hits, and four walks.
A Look at the Diamondbacks
When the D-Backs shipped out C/OF Daulton Varsho in December 2022 for Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Arizona did so in a position of strength. The Diamondbacks own a plethora of talented young outfielders, including Alek Thomas, Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy, and the aforementioned Fletcher. The latter three have all accumulated MLB experience, and now Fletcher will get this chance.
The decision to call up Fletcher comes at an interesting time. Corbin Carroll suffered a knee contusion on April 29, putting a temporary stop to what has been a strong rookie season for the former first-round pick. Between that injury and the struggles of both Thomas and McCarthy — the latter of whom was demoted to Reno — at the Major League level, Fletcher stands a solid chance of sticking in the desert if he can prove he’s up to the challenge of adjusting to top-line pitching.
