Fleming Notches Season Opening Win With Single A Club

Former Webster University All-American pitcher Josh Fleming was victorious in his season debut with the Single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods here Sunday against the Burlington Bees at Community Field.

Fleming, who was a fifth-round selection and the 139th overall pick in last year's MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, was assigned to Bowling Green on May 4 after preparing for the 2018 season in extended spring training at the Rays minor league complex in Port Charlotte, Fla. Last season, Fleming pitched for the Princeton Rays, Tampa Bay's Rookie league affiliate in the Appalachian League.

In his debut for the Hot Rods, Fleming tossed five shutout innings as he allowed two hits, walked one and struck out five before being replaced in the sixth by Jose Disla, who allowed a run in 2.2 innings of work. Hunter Schryver picked up his third save as he recorded the final four outs of the Hot Rods 2-1 win. 

Against Burlington who is the Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, Fleming threw 66 pitches, including 46 strikes and recorded a game score of 69. 

As a rookie, last year in Princeton, Fleming, who is left-handed, went 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA as he appeared in 12 games and made nine starts. In 35 innings of work, Fleming allowed 42 hits, 23 runs (21 earned runs), while walking seven and striking 26 and posted a WHIP of 1.40. 

Sunday's win over Burlington improved Bowling Green's record to 18-9 on the season and extended its win streak to eight consecutive games. The Hot Rods are currently sitting in first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division standings as they are 1.5 games in front the Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts, who are the Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Fleming completed his third and final season with the Gorloks in 2017. As a junior in 2017, Fleming, who is a native of Columbia, Ill., recorded an NCAA Division III leading ERA of 0.68 and was second in Division III in strikeouts with 115 in 92.2 innings of work. In addition, he posted an 8-1 record in helping the Gorloks advance to the NCAA Division III Baseball Regional Tournament for the 11th time in school history. 

On the season, Fleming racked up numerous honors, including being named the D3Baseball.com Pitcher of the Year and earning First-Team All-American honors from both D3Baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings. In addition, he was named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, the Central Region Pitcher of the Year and a First-Team All-Central Region selection by both D3Baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings. 

Fleming set Webster single-season marks for ERA and strikeouts and allowed the second lowest batting average for opponents (.165). Additionally, Fleming recorded the lowest career ERA in school history (1.92) and finished second in career strikeouts (251) and fourth in wins (19).