After the last few picks it seemed like the Phillies were saving up money for someone, and in HS RHP Matthew Fisher, we have that someone. Fisher was a player that had been linked in various mock drafts to the Phillies as either an under slot first round pick or as an over slot target, presumably in the 2nd round. Theoretically because the Phillies are taking him now and not in round 11 they know his number and will finish up collecting the money on senior signs the rest of the way.
Fisher was expected to go in the comp round or early second in the group of high school arms that go in that range. He is on the older side for a high school pick having turned 19 in March. Despite the age, there is some projectability as he was his high school’s quarterback and has not fully focused on baseball yet. He also has a projectable 6’3″ frame and is athletic so he should grow into more physicality as he matures.
Right now, Fisher’s fastball is low 90s, touching up to 95 with solid ride and some cut with high spin rates. He already throws a slider and curveball with high spin rates, but they aren’t plus pitches currently. Given the athleticism and feel for spin it is likely the Phillies will make some shape updates on those pitches to make them play up better. He has thrown a changeup, but like many high school pitchers it doesn’t seem that it is fully developed. Right now, Fisher does not have eye popping stuff or velocity, but he is a projectable ball of clay that could grow into a good starting pitcher down the line.
Based on pre-draft rankings, Fisher is going to be the second high ranked player in the class ahead of Obermueller and closer to Wood in value. The slot for the pick is $257,700 and it feels like $2,000,000 is probably the floor for his bonus. That means the Phillies will be taking college seniors the rest of the way and will not be stretching too much after round 11.
Are you fine with this tact of focusing on 2-3 arms and the rest of the draft is punted? Well not necessarily punted as they hope they get production out of the picks but in all reality, it’s about 2-3 guys.
I actually like the guys they took in rounds 2 to 4, but yeah given where you are picking in the draft if you can walk out with Wood and Fisher and then some other interesting arms, that is a good draft.
I know awhile ago, but Pipkin 9th rd 2018, didn’t we feel same way? Gave way over slot 800k?
I think Fisher has better pitch shapes and shape projections than Pipkin did. Pipkin was Pipeline’s #92 prospect and Fisher was #46. Same concept, but Fisher is probably going to get 3 times the bonus Pipkin did because he is the better prospect.
I really like the Craig pick too. It saves money and he looks like he has a real chance to actually be a majors contributor from the 5th round. I wish Phillies made more picks like this.