David Fletcher Still Has the Support of His Manager

Needless to say, David Fletcher hasn't had the best of years. He's only appeared in 30 games at the major league level, and he's spent most of the year in AAA Salt Lake just waiting for his chance to get consistent reps at the major league level.

One person at the major league level still believes in Fletch, and it's his manager.

“He’s a major-league player is the best way I can answer it,” Nevin said. “I think he can help a team in certain roles. I’m not ruling out the fact that he can go out and play every day. He is playing every day right now and he’s helping us.”

via Jeff Fletcher / OC Register

But what is the best way Fletcher can produce for the Angels?

The best answer is any way he can. 

The growth of Zach Neto over the year, and the consistent play of Brandon Drury have kept Fletcher from getting everyday playing time, but as Nevin said, when he's in the lineup, he produces.

Over 86 plate appearances on the year, only 9 of them have ended in a strikeout. 

He's batting .238 on the year, which doesn't exactly jump off the page, but his ability to play virtually anywhere in the field should.

Fletcher's defensive prowess was what got him through the first couple of years of his MLB career, and it's what could get him back into more consistent reps.

In 2019, Fletcher appeared in games as a third baseman, second baseman, shortstop, left fielder and right fielder. A true utility man, in every sense of the word.

Hopefully, with the right combination of hard work and just a little bit of luck, Fletch can get back into the lineup on a daily basis, and try to recreate the magic of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, where he hit a combined .298 and struck out a combined 89 times in 889 plate appearances.