New arrival Fulmer has strong Vandy roots 

Right-hander Carson Fulmer has wanted to work with Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson since he was a teenager. Now 27, Fulmer’s opportunity finally came when he joined Cincinnati’s Spring Training camp Tuesday after he was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on Sunday.

When Fulmer went to play for Vanderbilt University, Johnson was the pitching coach that recruited him. They didn’t get much time together, however.

“I had about half a semester with him before he took the job with the Cubs [in '12],” Fulmer said. “We know each other pretty well. He was a large part of why I went to Vanderbilt. I’m really anxious to get time with him and figure things out.”

Fulmer split last season with the Tigers and Orioles and was trying to make the club in Pittsburgh. He had a 4.50 ERA in three games before he was designated for assignment.

There are two weeks until Opening Day to make an impression with the Reds as Fulmer tries to land a bullpen role. But the familiarity with Johnson will help flatten the learning curve.

“Usually in the past, you come to a new team and coaches are trying to feel you out, they’re trying to figure out exactly how your routine works,” Fulmer said. “Here, I feel like we can kind of just get into what we need to get accomplished. D.J. knows me really well. He’s been around me quite a bit. I think that little bit of time where people have to get familiar with you is kind of wiped out and we can get to work on what we need to.”

In parts of five big league seasons -- including 2016-19 with the White Sox -- Fulmer has compiled a 6.34 ERA over 54 games. While the '15 first-round pick lacks a track record of success, he is the high spin rate type of pitcher that Johnson likes to work with. According to Statcast, Fulmer’s fastball spin rate in '19 was in the 91st percentile, while his curveball spin was in the 88th percentile.

“I don’t think he possesses a great breaking ball or great changeup or whatever,” Johnson said. “What does stand out is his demeanor, his work ethic, his makeup, his willingness to be coached. I think what else stands out to me is I know what type of teammate he can be.”

Fulmer lives in Seattle and works out at Driveline Baseball in the offseason, a facility that was founded by Reds pitching coordinator Kyle Boddy, which is also where assistant pitching coach Eric Jagers once worked. While Fulmer was at Vanderbilt, Reds pitcher Sonny Gray often visited in offseasons. Gray also pitched for the school.

“We have talked about Carson for the last couple of years as he’s gone through sort of his journey,” Johnson said. “It felt like a win-win for us. We’ve had some injuries in camp, and so getting a guy that we’ve talked about for a couple of years, getting a guy that perhaps could do something special for us, it just sort of felt right, giving him an opportunity to be here. Even though it feels like a two-week tryout, I think at the same time, it gives him enough time to get himself there, and we’re going to throw him out into games real fast and find out what he’s made of.”