Former utility infielder David Fletcher is looking at one of the wilder career arcs we’ll see from any baseball player.
Fletcher, who used to play for the Los Angeles Angels with Shohei Ohtani, was put under investigation this year for gambling ties to the same bookmaker that Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, placed bets with. Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers and pled guilty to federal charges.
Fletcher, though, continued to play in the Braves’ minor league organization. Recently, he wanted to make the move from infielder to full-time knuckleball pitcher. On Wednesday, he got his first chance with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. And the start actually went well for Fletcher.
David Fletcher through 5 innings of work
5 IP
3 H
2 ER
1 BB
6 SO
1 thrown bat👇If Gwinnett can score a run he’ll be in line for the win pic.twitter.com/bEIPwPNsY7
— Jared Tims (@Jared_Tims) May 29, 2024
In his start against Orioles affiliate Norfolk Tides, Fletcher went five innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He also struck out six batters, which included Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday.
David Fletcher struck out Jackson Holliday pic.twitter.com/2sKNjhM29j
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 30, 2024
The knuckleball has become somewhat of a lost art in today’s MLB given the game’s emphasis on location and velocity. The Padres’ Matt Waldron is the lone active pitcher who throws a knuckleball as a primary pitch. He does so for about 38 percent of his pitch distribution, so even Waldron wouldn’t be a true knuckleball pitcher. But if Fletcher can prove himself as a legitimate MLB-caliber knuckleballer, it would be some twist to his ongoing saga.
At the very least, he showed that he can hold his own against Triple-A competition.
