- Full name Kiel Fisher
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Fisher was a somewhat surprising third-round pick in 2002, and passed on a scholarship to Cal Poly to sign with the Phillies. He displays a great approach to the game and loves to play, though a stress fracture in a vertabrae in his back kept him out of action for all of 2004. It's the same injury David Bell went through in 2003. Fisher was healthy enough to get on the field in instructional league, where he showed up stronger after bulking up to 200 pounds. His bat speed and natural loft indicate he'll develop power, while his patience at the plate means he could emerge as a solid middle-of-the-order hitter. Fisher's feet and hands make him a solid third baseman with average range, and his arm strength rates average as well. He'll try to make up for lost time in low Class A this year. -
After forgoing a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and signing with Philadelphia as a surprise third-round pick in 2002, Fisher had a mediocre pro debut. The system's depth at third base kept him in extended spring training to begin 2003, as the Phillies wanted Terry Jones to play every day in low Class A. Fisher continued to struggled during extending spring, so he went to the Gulf Coast League when short-season play started. His bat finally got going, and improved again after a promotion to short-season Batavia. The key to Fisher's success was eliminating a loop in his swing, allowing him to be quicker to the ball and make use of his natural bat speed and loft. He projects average to plus power and makes adjustments well enough to hit for a solid average. He draws a good amount of walks for a young player, stays back on breaking balls and crushes fastballs. Defensively, Fisher shows average range with suitable feet and hands at third. He's big and built well, so a switch to first base or the outfield might be necessary. There's no doubt his bat would play at a more power-driven position. He'll head to Lakewood in 2004.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A third-round pick of the Phillies in 2002, Fisher had a productive second year in the GCL and continued to hit when he was promoted to short-season Batavia midway through the season. He hit .333 between the two stops. "He's got a good, solid lefthanded swing," Radison said. "He stays back well on offspeed pitches, which a lot of players in this league don't do. He's also got a good body and profiles well for third base."