BRADENTON, Fla. – Dominic Fletcher wanted nothing more than to pick up where he left off at the plate last season, only to have trouble finding the rhythm in his swing at the start of spring training.
After going 1 for 11 in his first five Grapefruit League games, Fletcher realized something was off. So, he decided to make a subtle change that unlocked a surge where he went 5 for 13 with a double, a home run and five runs scored over a five-game stretch to open this month.
“My hands got a little still,” Fletcher said. “I wanted to get my timing back so a little more movement as a timing mechanism, just to get a rhythm with my hands when I get in the box, to feel that rhythm before I end up swinging. I made that adjustment and got a couple hits. It’s nice to see it work and see the adjustments pay off.”
A 28-year-old outfielder who signed a minor-league contract in December and received a non-roster invite to big league camp, Fletcher is one of the reasons the Pittsburgh Pirates believe their outfield depth is much improved.
The 5-foot-8, 183-pounder is a left-handed hitter who can play all three outfield positions and is known for his strong arm and solid defense. A 2019 second-round pick of Arizona, Fletcher batted .233/.280/.325 with 18 doubles, four home runs and 33 RBIs in 112 games over three seasons with the Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox.
Fletcher made his major league debut in April 2023, replacing the injured Corbin Carroll. He was batting .301 in 28 games in the minors when he fractured his left index finger.
The White Sox acquired Fletcher in February 2024 for top-10 right-handed pitching prospect Cristian Mena in an effort to improve their outfield, only for Fletcher to bat .206 with a .508 OPS in 72 games. Fletcher flashed power last season, when he had 19 doubles, four triples, 17 homers and 68 RBIs in 106 games at Triple-A Charlotte.
“I feel like I had a year in ’24 where I struggled with the bat, but every year before that I’ve hit,” Fletcher said. “I had a pretty good year last year in Triple-A. I want to show I can still do it.”
Fletcher did just that against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday in Dunedin, when he had two hits with recorded exit velocities over 100 mph. He drilled a Jose Berrios sinker to right field for a double with a 104.2-mph exit velocity in the second inning. Then he smashed an 0-2 slurve 380 feet to right-center for a solo homer at 101.7 mph.
“I see a guy that’s freed up. He’s going out there and competing,” manager Don Kelly said. “Even until (Friday), he didn’t have as much to show for it. He swung the bat well and hit it into the wind a few times. He’s had good at-bats. I’ve loved the way he’s gone about it on defense and going after the ball. Plays aggressively out there and has a really good arm, too.”
Defense is Fletcher’s calling card. Bringing reliable defense on a daily basis is a point of pride for him.
“My strong suit in this game is my defense,” Fletcher said. “Defense never slumps. That’s something that’s carried me through this game, a tool that’s always going to be there.”
Fletcher found a way to score even without getting a hit against the New York Yankees on Monday. He grounded into a forceout, reaching on a fielder’s choice, then advanced to second on Billy Cook’s walk to load the bases and scored on Konnor Griffin’s game-tying two-run double.
Now that Fletcher has found his rhythm, he’s hoping to find a place with the Pirates.
“I’m just grateful to be here every day,” Fletcher said, “and for every opportunity I get.”