David Fletcher Stats & Scouting Report

AB	8
AVG	.25
OBP	.222
SLG	.25
HR	0

Full name David Owen Fletcher
Born 05/31/1994 in Orange, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Loyola Marymount
Debut 06/13/2018
Drafted in the 6th round (195th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2015 (signed for $406,900).

View Draft Report

Fletcher often gets compared to fellow West Coast Conference shortstop Kyle Holder of San Diego. Like Holder, Fletcher is a glove-first shortstop in a year of good depth for college shortstops. Otherwise, he and Holder share few similarities. At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Fletcher has to play within himself, drawing walks, making contact and playing premium defense. He's learning to pick his spots and drive the ball a bit more, but his offensive ceiling is fairly modest, as his four extra-base hits in the Cape Cod League in 2014 attest. He shines defensively, with instincts that help his average to above-average tools play up a grade. Fletcher anticipates well and has excellent range with smooth actions and an above-average arm. An eligible sophomore, Fletcher is an average runner whose overall game has some similarities to Justin Turner's when he was at Cal State Fullerton.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Fletcher's favorite player growing up in Orange County was David Eckstein, and the middle-infield prospect shares some traits with the shortstop and leadoff man. Evaluators frequently label Fletcher an undersized “gamer” who consistently plays above his tools with good plate discipline and average speed but little power. He slashed .266/.316/.339 with 20 stolen bases in 111 Double-A and Triple-A games in 2017, with 55 strikeouts and 27 walks. Fletcher grinds out at-bats and has a solid approach with a line-drive stroke, but his added weight and muscle and lower body fat didn't translate into much power. Defensively, Fletcher has played mostly shortstop, but he projects as a second baseman or utility player in the big leagues. He's athletic with quick feet, soft hands, good instincts and solid range. What he lacks in arm strength he usually compensates for with good positioning, excellent footwork, a quick release and accurate throws. Fletcher should make his MLB debut this season and could end up as the Angels go-to reserve infielder.
After being picked as a draft-eligible sophomore from Loyola Marymount in 2015, Fletcher made it to Double-A Arkansas before the end of his first full season and wrapped up 2016 with an assignment to the Arizona Fall League. He missed time early in the year with wrist tendinitis, but returned to hit .308/.346/.389 across two levels after the injury. The label typically put on Fletcher is a "gamer" or "grinder" who will consistently play above his tools. Fletcher is solid at both middle infield positions, using excellent instincts to compensate for limited physical tools. He quickly reads balls off the bat and positions himself well, helping his arm play up because of his positioning and excellent footwork. Fletcher doesn't pack much power at the plate but grinds out at-bats and has a solid approach with a line-drive stroke. He is an average runner but with advanced instincts that help him steal bases efficiently. Fletcher will return to the Double-A Texas League to pick up where he left off last year. With a lack of depth in the upper levels of the system, he should get a chance at Triple-A before the end of 2017.
Picked in the sixth round as a draft-eligible sophomore from Loyola Marymount in 2015, Fletcher signed for an over-slot $406,900 bonus before reporting to Rookie-level Orem for his first pro assignment. He easily handled that league, batting .331/.391/.456 in 37 games before heading to the more challenging low Class A Midwest League. Fletcher always will be known as a glove-first player, though he has a good approach at the plate and is always ready to hit. He projects as an average hitter and has good hand-eye coordination but little power. He's got first-step quickness but is a slightly below-average runner, instead using his advanced instincts to steal bases. He's a solid defender who attacks groundballs and takes good routes and angles in the infield, helping his average arm play up a grade. Fletcher draws comparisons with former Angels shortstop David Eckstein for his gamer mentality and ability to overcome his limitations with baseball smarts. He profiles as a high-floor utility infielder with a chance for a starting role if he overachieves with the bat. Fletcher may return to low Class A Burlington to begin 2016 but should get to high Class A Inland Empire by the middle of the summer.

Draft Prospects

Fletcher often gets compared to fellow West Coast Conference shortstop Kyle Holder of San Diego. Like Holder, Fletcher is a glove-first shortstop in a year of good depth for college shortstops. Otherwise, he and Holder share few similarities. At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Fletcher has to play within himself, drawing walks, making contact and playing premium defense. He's learning to pick his spots and drive the ball a bit more, but his offensive ceiling is fairly modest, as his four extra-base hits in the Cape Cod League in 2014 attest. He shines defensively, with instincts that help his average to above-average tools play up a grade. Fletcher anticipates well and has excellent range with smooth actions and an above-average arm. An eligible sophomore, Fletcher is an average runner whose overall game has some similarities to Justin Turner's when he was at Cal State Fullerton.
Fletcher ranks as one of the best defensive infielders in Southern California, with excellent instincts, sure hands, sound footwork and smooth actions at shortstop. His average arm plays up because of his quick release and accuracy, giving him a chance to stick at short. At 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, Fletcher lacks punch at the plate, but he is a good spray hitter from the right side and doesn't give away at-bats. He's an average runner. Because of his size, man scouts are content to let Fletcher go to Loyola Marymount, where he could improve his stock in three years if he adds strength.

Minor League Top Prospects

Fletcher signed for an over-slot $406,900 as a sixth-round pick after the Angels drafted him as an eligible sophomore. He split the season between Orem and low Class A Burlington, showing off impressive defensive skills at shortstop. Fletcher knows how to position himself and shows smooth actions on the field. "He made plays here that guys in Double-A or Triple-A wouldn't have made," Orem manager Dave Stapleton said. Fletcher's arm graded as above-average in college but backed up over the summer, and he'll have to regain his arm strength to continue to play shortstop, which is key to his future utility-infielder profile. He has a good approach at the plate and is always ready to hit when he enters the box. He's a good contact hitter with gap-to-gap power who can drop down a bunt when needed. He steals bases more on instincts than on pure speed. Fletcher should move quickly through the system based purely on his ability to play a quality shortstop.

Career Transactions

SS David Fletcher assigned to Mississippi Braves from Gwinnett Stripers.
Gwinnett Stripers activated SS David Fletcher.
Atlanta Braves sent SS David Fletcher outright to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves selected the contract of SS David Fletcher from Gwinnett Stripers.
Los Angeles Angels sent SS David Fletcher outright to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels sent SS David Fletcher outright to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of SS David Fletcher from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of SS David Fletcher from Salt Lake Bees.
Salt Lake Bees activated SS David Fletcher from the bereavement list.
Salt Lake Bees placed SS David Fletcher on the bereavement list.
Los Angeles Angels sent SS David Fletcher outright to Salt Lake Bees.
SS David Fletcher roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
Los Angeles Angels optioned SS David Fletcher to Salt Lake Bees.
Salt Lake Bees activated SS David Fletcher.
Italy activated SS David Fletcher.