Dominic Fletcher Makes Case to Stick on Diamondbacks Roster

The rookie outfielder has been on a hot streak from the moment he was called up

Since the moment he's arrived in the major leagues all Dominic Fletcher has done is hit. Friday night was his best game yet, hitting a game tying three run homer in the second inning and an RBI double in the 6th as the Diamondbacks beat the Giants 7-5 at Chase Field.

I know who shouldn’t be sent down when the #Dbacks decide to go back to 8 relievers

pic.twitter.com/3erd7P5hw7

— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) May 13, 2023

In describing the home run fletcher said he was just looking for something over the middle and Ross Stripling hung a slider and he was able to drive the pitch 428 feet.  

Getting Comfortable

Fletcher was called up on April 30th and hit a double in his very first major league at bat. That started a six game hitting streak to begin his career. Tonight'was his second straight three hit game. In 39 plate appearances he has 16 hits, and a battling line of .457/.486/.629.  He's knocked in eight runs and even chipped in with two sac bunts when called upon. 

The 25 year old had to wait his turn to reach the majors as the Diamondbacks are flush with left hand hitting outfielders. Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy, and Corbin Carroll each reached the show ahead of Fletcher.  His chance finally came when Carroll banged his kneed against the wall in Colorado and needed a few days off.  Since then the team has carried an extra outfielder and just seven relief pitchers. The time is coming soon when the team will need to send out an outfielder in favor of a pitcher. 

Despite that pressure, Fletcher has seemed very comfortable both at the plate and in the clubhouse. When asked why he was quick to say that comfort level comes from his teammates.  "I feel like it's attributable to the guys in the  locker room here". Fletcher said. "Since day one they've made me feel really welcome."  

These players have all come up together through the minors and are bonded through that experience. "It's great"  Fletcher said. "Playing with these guys all the way up definitely adds another level of comfort. Knowing them since we got drafted and then seeing them again and getting to hang out with them again it's been special for sure "

While he is aware of the competitive situation he's in trying to secure a roster spot, he's not focused on that. "I want to go out there and play my game every day and compete every day. A lot of those guys are some of my best friends, so it's fun to compete with them and go out there alongside with them every day"

Fletcher also praised the coaching staff and how they help him prepare to compete. "I feel like our hitting coaches do a really good job of giving us all the reports and all he info that we need, and then doing everything we need swing wise every day and working hard in the cage."

Not one lacking in confidence Fletcher felt he would always be ready for this level when the time came. Competing in the WBC was an added confidence boost as well. A major part of Fletcher's success also comes from the fact that his brother David Fletcher, who reached the majors in 2018 with the Angels, has been there for him throughout his career. He talks with his brother almost every day and is a valuable sounding board. 

The Game

Ryne Nelson had another rough start giving up a two-run homer in the first inning to Joc Pederson and a solo shot to Michael Conforto of the 12th pitch of the at bat. After Fletcher tied it up with his homer, Evan Longoria put the D-backs up 4-3 with a towering home run that just stayed fair. Nelson managed a scoreless third and fourth inning, but in the fifth inning gave up a double to Lamont Wade Jr. and an RBI base hit to J.D. Davis, allowing the Giants to tie up the game. 

Nelson went  4.2 innings, giving up seven hits, four earned runs, a walk and struck four. His ERA rose to 6.20 in eight starts. 

Fletcher's double in the 6th inning broke the tie and another run scored on a passed ball, putting the D-backs up 6-4.  Josh Rojas and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. both doubled in the 7th, extending the lead to 7-4. 

The Diamondbacks bullpen went 4.1 innings giving up just one run, as they held on to win 7-5.  Anthony Misiewicz was praised by fill in manager Jeff Bannister for giving the team four key bridge outs in the middle innings.  The lone bullpen blemish was Andrew Chafin giving up two hits to allow an inherited runner of Scott McGough's to score. Miguel Castro got the final two outs for his second save of the season.  Misiewicz ended up getting the win. 

Game three of the four game series is tomorrow night 5:10 P.M. MST.  Zac Gallen is back on the mound and will face Anthony DeSclafani of the Giants.