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Tigers' Michael Fulmer: Working on fastball command

Fulmer said he wants to pace himself in spring training and work on his fastball command, The Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis:

Last season, Fulmer said he went full speed out of the gates, as he was trying to make an impression as a prospect. Now that he's secured a spot in the rotation, he's trying to take a more moderate approach to spring training. "I can work on a bunch of feel things," he said. "Especially command -- fastball command -- and working all parts of the plate now. I remember last year, I'd get a bullpen and, honestly, just throw as hard as I could, try to get some eyes going my way. But hopefully, this spring is a little different story and I can actually take the time to work on my changeup and my slider and, obviously, fastball command being the biggest one." Fulmer's 7.5 K/9 rate as a rookie in the majors last year was below what he typically posted in the minors on his way up the ladder, so improved fastball command could allow him to unlock those extra K's.

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