Dominic Fletcher Successful in First Stint in Arizona
This article is part of a series counting down the Diamondbacks Top 30 prospects entering the 2024 season. These rankings are determined by Michael McDermott, in conjunction with the Inside the Diamondbacks staff.
Summary: Dominic Fletcher was selected by the Diamondbacks with the 75th overall pick of the 2019 Draft. He steadily climbed up the system, although struggled for one year in Amarillo. After bouncing back in 2022, he was added to Arizona's 40-man roster that winter. Opportunities knocked for the first time in April, when a minor injury to Corbin Carroll opened the door for Fletcher to make his major league debut.
Rank: 19
Age: 26
Height/Weight: 5'6" 185 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Tools: Hit 50, Power 40, Run 45, Defense 60, Arm 55, Overall 45
ETA: 2024
What the D-backs are saying about him?
"He’s got a good heartbeat. Between he and his brother, there’s probably been a lot of baseball conversations over the years." - Manager Torey Lovullo
2023 Recap: As mentioned up top, Fletcher made his major league debut on April 30th with a double in his first career at-bat. His first couple weeks in the major leagues were excellent, as he nearly singlehandedly defeated the Giants in a four-game series with his glove and bat. He began his career with a 12-game hitting streak, in which he slashed .462/.488/.744 with two home runs and 13 RBI. Regression soon hit afterwards and eventually Fletcher lost his roster spot to Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy after the organization deemed both players ready. Another injury scare to Carroll in late June saw Fletcher play against his older brother in the big leagues at the time, an experience he'll never forget. He spent the rest of the year in Reno and saw his season end in August with a fractured index finger. It was a disappointing end, but Fletcher was able to take advantage of his few MLB opportunities in 2023.
2024 Expectations: Outside of Carroll, the D-backs outfield isn't exactly settled. Thomas and McCarthy struggled at the plate and could be another poor performance away from yielding opportunities to Fletcher. His abilities to handle all three outfield positions, especially right field, makes him an ideal candidate to use as a fourth outfielder. He'll compete for a spot on the roster in Spring Training, although he's on the outside looking in if there are any additions made at the position this offseason. If he doesn't make the roster, he's likely the first callup from Reno.
Projections: Fletcher is likely a platoon bat and defensive replacement in right field. Since he's a left-handed bat, there will be more opportunities to get him in the lineup in that situation so he could theoretically play 100 or so games a year. The downside is the only position where his bat could carry him into a consistent part-time role is center field. He's a line drive hitter who sprays the ball from gap-to-gap, but doesn't offer much in the power department. The key moving forward will be to reduce his ground ball rate so that power manifests itself a bit more.
