Emotional Fulmer broke down after learning of call-up

To say that Michael Fulmer was ecstatic about getting his call to the big leagues is an understatement.

Fulmer, the top prospect of the Detroit Tigers, is set to make his major-league debut against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. He was emotional in front of Triple-A manager Lloyd McClendon when he was informed of his promotion.

"I've been dreaming of this since I was four years old and playing T-Ball," Fulmer told ESPN's Katie Strang. "This is the the second-best day of my life, besides my wedding - my wife will enjoy that - No, it's a blessing, and I'm just so happy to finally achieve my goal, and hopefully I can compete well enough to stay up here."

The 23-year-old former first-round pick of the New York Mets, who was acquired as part of the Yoenis Cespedes trade last season, will take over the rotation spot vacated by Shane Greene, who hit the 15-day disabled list with a blister on this throwing hand.

Fulmer wasn't the only person excited about taking the next step in his career. Longtime Tigers ace Justin Verlander was pretty upbeat upon learning of Fulmer's eventual arrival.

"Very excited," Verlander told reporters. "I told him when he got sent down, 'I really enjoyed watching you pitch. Stay positive.' I know he was kind of battling for that fifth spot (in the starting rotation) in the spring.

"I love his mentality on the mound. He's not scared, and I love his stuff. He pitches, attacks guys, and I think he's got a chance to be an excellent pitcher at the big league level."

The 50th-ranked prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline, and the only Tigers prospect in the top 100, Fulmer owned a 4.70 ERA with a strikeout rate of 11.7 per nine innings in Triple-A before getting called up.