Former Angels Infielder Makes Random Mid-Career Switch to Pitcher

This should be interesting to see play out.

Jul 1, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop David Fletcher (22) misses fielding the RBI single of Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Dominic Fletcher (8) during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher has switched positions in the minor leagues. Recent stats tell us that the former six-year Halo infielder is now a relief pitcher. 

Since his transition, Fletcher has shown his pitching prowess, or lack thereof, in Triple-A.

Beyond The Halo shared via Twitter/X. 

I guess David Fletcher is just a pitcher in AAA now…

He threw 58 pitches in relief today. pic.twitter.com/gePQn6Y2si

— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) May 24, 2024

I just found one of the wildest things I've seen in a while:

David Fletcher, yes THAT David Fletcher, struck out the side as a pitcher today for the Braves AAA team. And is he throwing a knuckleball?

He's thrown 2 scoreless innings this season, 3 K and 1 BB. pic.twitter.com/qLCAQkd4Sm

— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) May 16, 2024

Fletcher is currently with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers for the Atlanta Braves minor league affiliate. He was removed from the Brave's 40-man roster in late April, and his numbers in Triple-A haven't been any better, especially in the pitching department. He holds a 0-1 record with an abysmal 9.00 ERA and has allowed seven hits, six earned runs, and four strikeouts in six innings of work and four games. 

The former time Halo is currently under investigation for gambling allegations, as he allegedly gambled with an illegal bookie. ESPN reported that Fletcher bet on sports, but not baseball, with Mathew Bowyer, the Southern California bookmaker who took wagers from Shohei Ohtani's longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

The 29-year-old could face some legal trouble if things don't pan out for him. The Orange Cunty native was traded from the Halo to the Braves in Dec. 2023 in exchange for Evan White and Tyler Thomas. 

Fletcher will have a long way to go on the mound, and he'll have time unless something comes up in the investigation.