Drafted in the 6th round (192nd overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2006 (signed for $140,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Fish was relatively unheralded as a high schooler in baseball-rich southern California and hasn't gotten much hype despite striking out a batter per inning over three seasons as a pro. He ranked fifth in the Midwest League with 138 strikeouts in 143 innings last year in his first taste of full-season ball. His funky arm action--he wraps his wrist in the back of his delivery--didn't endear him to scouts as an amateur, but it works to deceive hitters. The Angels haven't tried to alter his mechanics and have just turned him loose. Fish works off a fastball that ranges from 88-94 mph, though he often loses velocity after 90 pitches. Both his curveball and changeup are average pitches but need more consistency. He's still learning the nuances of pitching, as he tends to try to finesse the final out of an inning, nibbling and throwing unnecessary additional pitches that shorten his starts. His mechanics often hamper his command, though he went 3-1, 2.31 over his final seven starts in 2008 while walking just 12 in 39 innings. He'll advance to high Class A this season.
Sometimes prospects from inland Southern California are able to fly under the radar, and Fish wasn't a consensus premium pick coming out high school in 2006. The Angels made him a sixth-round choice and signed him for $140,000. He followed an encouraging debut with an excellent season, finishing among Pioneer League leaders with 77 strikeouts in 72 innings and striking out 13 in eight innings in his lone playoff outing. His laborious, funky delivery was the main reason his stock wasn't higher as an amateur. He has a pronounced wrap in the back of his arm action that might make it hard for him to throw strikes, but he showed an ability to pitch to both sides of the plate with his 88-93 mph fastball that has plenty of deception. His breaking ball and changeup are not polished pitches, but he shows feel for them both, and occasionally his curveball shows two-plane break. Fish has a big, soft body, and he needs to take his conditioning seriously. He should hold down a spot in the Cedar Rapids rotation this season.
Minor League Top Prospects
Fish finished in a three-way tie for the league lead with 77 strikeouts in 72 innings and fanned 13 in eight innings in his lone playoff outing. His funky delivery creates deception and confuses hitters, making his 88-93 mph fastball seem quicker than it really is. He has good secondary pitches, though he needs to be more consistent with his curveball, which rates as solid-average when he throws it for strikes. Fish still needs to improve his command and must keep his weight under control.
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