Cam Fisher – Prospect Breakdown
Every pitcher who has played at a high level has a few different players that stand out to them as brutally scary at-bats. Not all of them admit it, for sure, but they do. I’m willing to admit that there were a few guys I personally faced that were especially scary; some of them are MLB players now, and some never made it past college. But it’s always interesting to track the threads that weave through the world of baseball, twisting and turning through different levels and teams. Today, I’m going to talk about an Astros prospect who also happens to be on my list of scariest guys to face: Cam Fisher.
Fisher’s baseball journey has taken him a few different places. First a decently-regarded prep catcher from Knoxville, Fisher started at Ole Miss in 2020’s truncated season, where he was redshirted. He then transferred to Walters State, a top JuCo program in Tennessee, where he managed 12 home runs and a .321/.452/.603/1.055 slash line. That was good enough to immediately get him noticed by UNC Charlotte’s staff, who plucked him from his home state and brought him east. I’m not sure how much they knew it at the time, but the 49ers struck gold.
48 home runs in 2 years is the biggest thing that jumps out from Fisher’s D1 stats. He wasn’t just a power guy though, with a .318/.461/.709/1.170 career D1 slash. He swiped 16 bags in two years, only getting caught once, showing a decent feel for the basepaths, too.
While the two-year combined totals are cool, I don’t think they aptly characterize the 2023 that Fisher had. 30 home runs, a 348/.507/.813/1.319 slash, 64 walks to 63 strikeouts, and 66 runs batted in earned Fisher a second-team All-American nod from BaseballAmerica and a third-team All-American nod from D1Baseball (both, I think, absurd snubs from a guy who led all college outfielders in OPS and was top 3 in many major categories).
Here’s the ol’ author’s corner anecdotal evidence: Fisher’s a scary at-bat for a pitcher. I faced him in 2022 during his merely outstanding Charlotte season, and he went 1 for 2 off of me with a single and a strikeout (flex). Not a single pitch I threw was comfortable, which is a telltale sign that a hitter has a presence in the box. I was impressed with his patience at the plate and eye for the zone, and he was a threat on nearly every pitch.
Fisher’s first taste of pro ball went well, as the 22-year-old hit .273/.396/.500/.896 in 31 games at single-A Fayetteville, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him move up in the Astros system this coming year. They’re an organization known for being able to foster absolute mashers, and I’m excited to see where they bring Fisher in 2024. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start in High-A with a hot early-season pushing him to Double-A. The Astros aren’t exactly hurting for offense and Fisher is only 22, so there isn’t reason to rush him too aggressively.
Fisher has a silky-smooth but violent left-handed swing, as video shows. He has massive pull-side pop and hammers fastballs, not just putting them out of the park but putting them damn near on the moon. He’s a classic lefty power guy, and he plays the role well, seeing pitches and picking his out to crush.
Despite the absurd power ability, Fisher hasn’t generated a ton of prospect hype. The 2023 4th-rounder wasn’t listed on either Fangraphs nor Pipeline’s team lists for the Astros; the only thing that can really be found from major outlets is a pre-draft short report by .
This is for decent enough reason, to be fair. His speed, arm, and fielding abilities don’t jump off the page, and it’s really going to be his bat that carries him wherever he goes. He’s pretty surely limited to first base or a corner outfield spot, with the latter seeming more likely. There are also concerns about his ability to hit off-speed pitches at the next level, although he seemed to do fine in his first taste of pro ball.
In Fisher’s case, I’m just here to enjoy the ride. The numbers will be what they may, and they may carry him as far as the big leagues; I think the bat is that good. But good or bad, the swing is going to be a joy to watch, and it’ll be cool to say I struck him out once (looking).
Aren’t convinced you should pay attention yet? Check out this park job from September, then look at me with a straight face and say that swing isn’t worth keeping tabs on:
(The text of this was taken from my article on our website, but I won't link it out of respect for self-promotion rules. Still thought r/astros would enjoy the breakdown and firsthand account of facing a possible part of the future in Houston!)
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