Josh Fleming Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

TRACK RECORD: Fleming led all Division III pitchers with a 0.67 ERA in 2017, which helped him become the first Webster University player ever drafted. He embellished his credentials in 2020, when he not only became the school's first major leaguer, but he pitched in the World Series.

SCOUTING REPORT: Fleming is a modern version of the crafty lefty who used to fill the back end of many rotations. He likes to pepper the outside bottom corner against righthanded hitters, working on and off the edge of the zone with plus command. His 88-93 mph fringe-average sinker and his above-average low-80s changeup are thrown to that same spot, with the changeup's deception and fade baffling hitters looking to feast on a low-90s fastball. His below-average mid-80s slider lacks power, depth or tilt, but it pairs well as he sneaks it up-and-in on righthanded hitters looking to dive over the plate. Fleming's changeup and slider don't baffle same-side batters, so he's better against righthanded hitters. He has a quality pickoff move.

THE FUTURE: The Rays trusted Fleming enough to insert him into their rotation and use him in their playoff bullpen. He fits best as a bulk or long reliever, and the Rays have shown they can get the most out of pitchers like Fleming.