Drafted in the 10th round (288th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 (signed for $100,000).
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Fisher is likely to be an enigma for teams this spring. The big, physical lefthander was draft-eligible last year but didn’t pitch at all in the shortened 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. This spring he did get back on the mound, but he didn’t pitch much for a loaded Vanderbilt team, throwing just 11 innings over 14 appearances. He struck out 13 batters (10.9 K/9) but also walked 10 (8.2 BB/9) and now has an extensive track record of below-average control going back to 2018 with the Commodores. Scouts are still drawn to the standout pure stuff, and this spring he threw his fastball in the 93-95 mph range and got up to 97 from the left side. He shows a power slider in the mid 80s as well, which looks like a real plus offering when he lands it—problem is, he rarely does. Fisher has also thrown a firm, upper-80s changeup. With a 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame and a sidearm slot from the left side he creates a tough angle for hitters and has real back-of-the-bullpen pure stuff. He’ll need to take massive steps forward with his control and consistency before a big league team will trust him in a high-leverage role, though.
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Draft Prospects
Fisher is likely to be an enigma for teams this spring. The big, physical lefthander was draft-eligible last year but didn’t pitch at all in the shortened 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. This spring he did get back on the mound, but he didn’t pitch much for a loaded Vanderbilt team, throwing just 11 innings over 14 appearances. He struck out 13 batters (10.9 K/9) but also walked 10 (8.2 BB/9) and now has an extensive track record of below-average control going back to 2018 with the Commodores. Scouts are still drawn to the standout pure stuff, and this spring he threw his fastball in the 93-95 mph range and got up to 97 from the left side. He shows a power slider in the mid 80s as well, which looks like a real plus offering when he lands it—problem is, he rarely does. Fisher has also thrown a firm, upper-80s changeup. With a 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame and a sidearm slot from the left side he creates a tough angle for hitters and has real back-of-the-bullpen pure stuff. He’ll need to take massive steps forward with his control and consistency before a big league team will trust him in a high-leverage role, though.
Fisher was a loose, projectable lefthander out of high school with a wiry body, but a frame and explosiveness that suggested he would throw much harder than the 88-92 mph fastball velocity he had at the time. Turns out, they were right. In a few years with Vanderbilt, Fisher has added some strength to a 6-foot-5, 185-pound frame and now throws a fastball that got into the upper 90s when healthy. However, he would have missed the entire 2020 season regardless of the coronavirus after undergoing Tommy John surgery and his health status could make him more difficult for teams to evaluate, particularly in a shorter draft. Most scouts believed Fisher was a straight relief arm at the next level thanks to below-average control and difficulty repeating his delivery. His secondary offerings have shown promise at times, but they are more of a work-in-progress at the moment, though a tough, low angle from the left side and a fastball that might get up to 100 one day isn’t a common attribute to find. In 30 games and 44 innings with Vanderbilt, Fisher has a 3.89 ERA with 54 strikeouts (11.0 per nine) and 27 walks (5.5 per nine).
A projectable 6-foot-4 lefthander committed to Vanderbilt, Fisher has the potential to develop into a high draft pick after three years with the Commodores. He's wiry and has plenty of room to fill in his frame, and he's a very loose, explosive athlete. He pitched mostly at 88-92 mph with his fastball this spring and scouts believe he will eventually develop mid-90s heat. Evaluators question his pure feel for spinning a breaking ball, though he does show flashes and could develop an out-pitch at the next level if he can gain consistency as he gets stronger and more mature.
Career Transactions
LHP Hugh Fisher assigned to Visalia Rawhide from ACL D-backs Black.
LHP Hugh Fisher assigned to Visalia Rawhide from ACL D-backs Black.
LHP Hugh Fisher assigned to ACL D-backs Black from Amarillo Sod Poodles.
LHP Hugh Fisher assigned to ACL D-backs Black from Amarillo Sod Poodles.
Amarillo Sod Poodles transferred LHP Hugh Fisher to the Development List.
Amarillo Sod Poodles activated LHP Hugh Fisher.
Amarillo Sod Poodles transferred LHP Hugh Fisher to the Development List.
LHP Hugh Fisher assigned to Amarillo Sod Poodles from Hillsboro Hops.
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