Drafted in the 7th round (202nd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2005 (signed for $130,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Fisher didn't get a lot of attention as an amateur because he didn't have an overpowering fastball, but he drew attention in his first two seasons in the organization with strong performances. He made just nine appearances for Burlington in 2007, however, before being shut down with a strained rotator cuff. The Royals had high hopes for him after he won the strikeout title in his second season in the Arizona League in 2006, and because of his youth they expect him to bounce back this season. Fisher features a 90-92 mph fastball that plays up because of his deceptive delivery, to the point that teammates have labeled it the "invisi-ball." He keeps his front side closed and the ball behind him for a long time, making it difficult for hitters to time him. He mixes in an average curveball that he can spot well, and a changeup that he still needs improvement. The team is eager to see how he fares against higher-level hitters, but he'll go back to low Class A to start 2008.
Fisher did not draw much attention as an amateur because his fastball wasn't overpowering, but he has done nothing but dominate as a pro. He repeated the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2006 and easily won the strikeout crown. He led all starters in short-season leagues in whiffs per nine innings (13.3) and finished second in opponent average (.169). Because of the remarkable deception on his 88-91 mph fastball, Fisher's Rookie-level Idaho Falls teammates took to calling it the "Invisi-ball."He gets swings and misses with his fastball by hiding it behind a compact arm action. He also throw a curveball that he can spot for strikes and backdoor righthanders with. Fisher has a feel for a changeup, but he doesn't throw it often because he has been able to dominate Rookie ball with just his fastball and curve. The Royals want him to throw the change more as he'll need it at higher levels. His fringe-average velocity may not play as well against more advanced hitters. Still just 19, Fisher offers plenty of projection and could add velocity. He'll head to low Class A Burlington in 2007 and offers as much upside of any pitcher in the lower levels of the system.
Fisher didn't draw a lot of attention from scouts because he doesn't have overpowering stuff, but the Royals took him in the seventh round last June and signed him for $130,000 because they liked his mature approach and his polish. Those attributes allowed him to succeed right away in the Arizona League at age 17. Fisher ranked third in the AZL in strikeouts by attacking hitters aggressively and demonstrating a feel for throwing the right pitch at the right time. His fastball works at 87-91 mph with good sinking action, and his easy delivery makes it deceptive because it gets on hitters quicker than they expect. He could pick up more velocity as he fills out. Fisher registered most of his strikeouts with a 12-to-6 curveball that he regularly throws for strikes. He also uses a changeup that still needs more work. Slated for Idaho Falls in 2006, he could shoot up this list if he continues to succeed.
Minor League Top Prospects
Fisher repeated the league but made a strong impression by dominating. His 98 strikeouts were 50 percent more than his closest AZL pursuer (Tim Schoeninger of the Angels). Fisher led all starters in short-season leagues with 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and ranked second with a .171 opponent average. Fisher makes hitters miss with an 87-91 mph fastball that plays above-average because of his deceptive, easy delivery. The pitch also has excellent armside run, helping him handle righthanders. His best offering is a curveball that can become a plus pitch. Fisher has the confidence to use it in fastball counts, and he also believes in his changeup as well. He worked closely with former Cy Young Award winner and Royals pitching coach Mark Davis on finding a comfortable, consistent grip for his change and on keeping it and his fastball down in the strike zone.
Fisher wasn't heavily scouted as an Arizona high schooler and doesn't have overpowering stuff. Yet he achieved immediate success as a pro because of an advanced idea how to pitch. He went right at hitters while throwing three pitches for strikes. Fisher has an easy, deliberate delivery that enabled him to get good deception and late movement on a sinking, fringe-average fastball, which he kept down in the zone consistently. He should add velocity with maturity and minor tinkering with his mechanics. His 12-to-6 curveball and changeup already are solid secondary pitches.
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