Latest news with #MatthewFisher
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Meet Phillies prospect Matthew Fisher, the big bonus pitcher with football roots
Evansville, Ind., population of 115,395, is not a small town. But it is just small enough that, when Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly wanted to reach local high school pitching prospect Matthew Fisher, they were only three degrees removed. Mattingly, an Evansville native, is best friends with Chris Owen, the brother of Fisher's former quarterback coach. The Owen brothers connected Fisher's family with Mattingly in June. Advertisement There was no grand plan. Mattingly just wanted to talk with Fisher and his family as a friend, he said, 'to give them a sense of what the draft's like, what the draft combine is like and answer any questions they may have had.' Fisher went to Reitz Memorial High School, as did Mattingly's wife and his father, Don. The prospect was considering forgoing a college commitment for professional baseball, as Mattingly did in 2006. The Mattingly name carries weight in Evansville, Fisher said, so hearing from the Phillies GM 'meant everything.' 'We're only a baseball player for so many hours each day,' Fisher said. 'It is a big adjustment for an 18-, 19-year-old kid to go from living at home, being in high school to living on your own, many hours away from your family, and basically playing baseball for a living. Having his viewpoint on all of those things was extremely beneficial.' A month later, the Phillies selected Fisher as their seventh-round pick and No. 221 overall. It came after a year-plus of scouting the touted prep right-hander, who withdrew his commitment to Indiana University to sign with Philadelphia. Fisher, projected to be a Day 1 pick and ranked as the No. 47 prospect by The Athletic's Keith Law, signed for first-day money. His bonus of $1.25 million was a seventh-round record, nearly $1 million over slot and equivalent to the slot value of the No. 68 pick in the draft. Fisher utilizes a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, changeup and slider. His fastball sat in the low to mid 90s, with a high spin rate, and his curveball is sharp. He finished his senior season with a 0.76 ERA in 36 2/3 innings, as he was held to a limited pitch count across April and May, with 61 strikeouts and 11 walks. Baseball always came first for Fisher, who has early memories of watching St. Louis Cardinals games and throwing baseballs in the family room. But his football career also helped him develop the athleticism that impressed the Phillies. He was an All-State quarterback as a senior, leading Memorial to an undefeated 2024 regular season with 2,779 passing yards and 42 touchdowns. Advertisement That was how Mattingly first heard about Fisher. It was fall 2024, and his in-laws were in town. They pulled up Memorial's IHSAA playoff game on the computer, gushing about how great the quarterback was. In December, Brian Barber, the Phillies' assistant general manager for scouting, came to Mattingly and told him there was a strong pitching prospect in his hometown. Mattingly connected the dots: It was the same kid. Area scout Derrick Ross had laid the groundwork for the Phillies on Fisher months earlier. He first saw the righty in June 2024, impressed by his strike-throwing ability. 'He's super athletic,' Ross said. 'He moves down the mound well, and you just don't see that as much anymore. You see guys that are trying to throw as hard as they can to get the best data, the best velocity, to get to the next level. Because stuff does matter, but he had a combination of stuff with his unique fastball and this real natural ability to spin a baseball.' Fisher had a pitching coach, but Ross said much of his approach looked natural. The way he moved on the mound seemed easy. So did the ball out of his hand, Ross said, and 'then, boom — it gets up on a hitter.' It's a quality that could stem from his football roots. Ross watched some of Fisher's tape and found that he could make accurate throws from different angles on the run. 'So I'm excited to see when he gets down with our guys and gals (in Clearwater, Fla.), just how he's going to take to it,' Ross said, 'because he's extremely smart. He's got very high aptitude. He's got the ability to pick things up quickly.' Fisher said playing football and baseball allowed him to keep his body loose and move in different ways. Playing football in front of big crowds and friends also fed his competitive nature: 'There's not much that's like Friday Night Lights,' he said. Advertisement At times, it was weird to be a two-sport athlete at baseball tournaments, Fisher said, competing with kids who were 'gone all summer from their homes, playing baseball.' He was typically at a tournament with his club team, Artillery, one day, then returning to Evansville for football practice the next. One night before a tournament in summer 2023, Fisher went to a football scrimmage at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday, playing in seven versus seven and 11 versus 11 scrimmages. He got home around 7 p.m., throwing a few baseballs to his mom in the little daylight that was left. They were on the road to Hoover, Ala., for a tournament shortly after. 'We got into the Hoover area, like 2:30 a.m.,' he said. 'We woke up at 5:30, and I got myself ready to go pitch at 8. After that game was over, around 10, we packed up and made the five and a half hour trek back home. I was back for football practice that night — Wednesday night. It started at 5:30 p.m.' Ross, who has scouted for 20 years, said there were more players like Fisher when he began scouting — less coached, more natural ability, more multi-sport athletes. 'He's a throwback guy that fits in today's game,' Ross said. At the combine in Phoenix, Ariz., Barber walked away impressed by Fisher's toughness. It's a quality the Phillies seek in high school starters: 'You have to be strong and you have to be tough to make it through that (minor-league) journey,' Barber said. Ross saw the trait as he scouted Fisher. He remembered a rainy playoff game he watched. The environment was difficult to play in. 'Then he went longer than the quote, unquote pitch count,' Ross said. 'He basically threw the pitch count out the window and wanted to go for the win for his team. A lot of guys will take themselves out after a certain amount of pitches. He just said, 'No. I'm staying in.'' Advertisement There was a lot the Phillies liked about Fisher: the athleticism, the natural ability, strike-throwing, his authenticity in conversations. So, the club was a bit surprised when he was still available on Day 2 of the draft. 'It was probably early, before Day 2 started, that we were looking at his name and it's like, 'Hey, what if?'' Barber said. 'But you just don't know what the 'if' is at that time.' Then the Phillies worked the phones. Club officials placed calls to Fisher and his advisor to gauge the interest level and negotiate. From Fisher's side, things were hectic as he fielded calls from organizations and negotiated the financial side along with his advisor and family. He liked the Phillies' pitching development and care for their players. Still, it was a hard decision to forgo college. He loved the staff at Indiana, which he said was 'extremely gracious' throughout the process. Now, Fisher is adjusting to life at the Phillies' complex in Clearwater. Gone are the days of school from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., baseball practice from 3-5, homework afterward, then sleep and repeating it all the next day. Adjusting to the lifestyle and finding a routine are probably the biggest things, he said, then figuring out what areas he needs to attack to become a better player — whether it's the weight room, nutrition or pitching. 'There's just so many aspects that go into it now,' he said. The goals are broad. They'll narrow, he said, while preparing for spring training and his first full season of pro baseball. Fisher, 19, has a winding road ahead. At the end of it, Ross envisions him as a middle-of-rotation starter who can eat innings because of his strike-throwing ability. 'He's got real weapons, from a secondary standpoint,' Ross said. 'And the fastball, in my opinion, is going to be better now that he's got to the first time in his life that he's just focusing on pitching. There's no football. The sky's the limit.' Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Memorial's Matthew Fisher and Myla Browning named 2025 SIAC Athletes of the Year
EVANSVILLE — The Southern Indiana Athletic Conference prides itself on the depth and parity within the conference. It annually produces Division I athletes or even state champions. By every measure, the Class of 2025 was another positive addition to a history of success that dates back nearly 90 years. But it still takes a lot to stand out. These two athletes did. Advertisement More: Here are the Class of 2025 SIAC Male and Female Athlete of the Year finalists Matthew Fisher of Memorial High School and Myla Browning of Memorial High School were named the Banterra Bank Outstanding Athletes of the Year on Friday. The award, the highlight of the 16th annual "Celebration of Champions," is based upon athletic achievement, academic success, and community service. Each member school is allowed to nominate just one male and female senior athlete. Memorial's Matthew Fisher (2) passes as the Memorial Tigers play the Heritage Hills Patriots in the IHSAA Class 3A sectional championship at Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Ind., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Fisher, the Male Athlete of the Year, was one of the stronger multi-sport athletes in Indiana. He was the All-SIAC Player of the Year in both football and baseball during his senior year. Fisher guided the Tigers to an undefeated regular season on the gridiron with 2,779 passing yards and 42 total touchdowns to only one interception. He was an All-State selection, too. But his future is squarely on the diamond. Advertisement The Memorial graduate was the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year and a potential first-round pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft. Fisher went 6-0 on the mound with a 0.76 earned run average and 61 strikeouts. He allowed only 16 hits, 11 walks, and four earned runs during his final season. Fisher was also a four-time Academic All-City selection, Academic All-State as a senior,r and the Kiwanis Award recipient. Fisher will play baseball at Indiana University should he forego professional baseball. More: Meet the 2025 Courier & Press All-Metro softball Player of the Year, Team Browning, the Female Athlete of the Year, was another one of the stronger multi-sport athletes in the area. She was a three-year varsity starter and two-year captain for the soccer team. The forward had 11 goals and seven assists for the Tigers, earning First Team All-SIAC and All-City, in addition to Third Team All-State. Browning also qualified for the regional in the 800-meter race this spring. Advertisement The Memorial graduate was also one of the top basketball players in the area. The 5-10 guard averaged 14 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. Browning earned First Team All-SIAC and All-State honorable mention. She was a seven-time Academic All-City and four-time Academic All-State recipient; Browning also earned the Kiwanis Award in all three sports. Browning will play basketball at Indiana Wesleyan. Memorial's Myla Browning (22) passes as the Memorial Tigers play the Hamilton Southeastern Royals in the third annual North Basketball Showcase at North High School in Evansville, Ind., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The other finalists for Male Athlete of the Year: Drew Ferguson (Bosse), Brady Reiter (Castle), Kenyon Peoples (Central), Shane Sims (Harrison), Caleb Schnarr (Jasper), Isaiah Schaefer (Mater Dei), Ben Brasher (North), Landon McClarney (Reitz) and Luke Hall (Vincennes Lincoln). Advertisement The other finalists for Female Athlete of the Year: Riley Brescher (Bosse), Sadie Winsett (Castle), Mya Skelton (Central), Anna Bullington (Harrison), Monica Lorey (Jasper), Olivia Niemeier (Mater Dei), Hannah Wilke (North), Matea Bradfield (Reitz) and Tiah Riggs (Vincennes Lincoln). Castle was the SIAC All-Sport champion for the seventh straight year, followed by Memorial, Jasper, North and Reitz. The state champions from the 2024-25 school year were: Memorial boys soccer, Eli Flick and Caleb Schnarr (Jasper tennis), Isaiah Schaefer (Mater Dei wrestling), Adaysha Smiley and Reese Mundy (Jasper tennis) and Jasper girls tennis. The SIAC had six state runner-ups and three IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winners. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 2025 SIAC Athletes of the Year: Matthew Fisher and Myla Browning
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Draft: Memorial pitcher Matthew Fisher selected by Philadelphia Phillies
EVANSVILLE — Matthew Fisher has earned a spot among a rare group in Evansville baseball history. The Memorial High School graduate was selected 221st overall in the seventh round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Major League Baseball draft on Monday, June 14. He is the first Tiger chosen since 2002 and only the third in program history to be drafted straight out of high school. Advertisement Fisher was viewed as a Day 1 selection by numerous publications. He was rated a top 50 prospect by and ESPN, the former ranking him as the fifth-best prep pitcher in the country. Evansville has produced only four first-round draft picks in MLB history: Tony Moretto (Harrison, 1975); Andy Benes (Central, 1988); Steve Obenchain (Memorial, 2002); Preston Mattingly (Central, 2006). Why was Fisher made the highest selection by an Evansville athlete in over a decade? He has an elite right arm. The 6-foot-3-inch pitcher went 6-0 with a 0.76 ERA this spring in his senior season. He registered 61 strikeouts to only 11 walks in 36⅔ innings. Despite being limited to a pitch count in April and May, Fisher allowed only 16 hits and four earned runs. The Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year throws multiple pitches for strikes: a fastball that routinely touched 95 miles per hour, a low-80s slider, an upper-70s curveball and a mid-80s changeup. Teams were also intrigued by his overall athleticism. Fisher was an All-State quarterback for Memorial and guided the team to an undefeated regular season in 2024. He compiled 2,779 passing yards and 42 total touchdowns during his final season. He was named the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference Player of the Year in both football and baseball. Advertisement Fisher becomes the ninth Memorial graduate to be chosen in the MLB Draft. The only others in program history to be chosen straight from the prep ranks were Don Mattingly (1979) and Mark Wezet (1973). Mattingly played 14 years with the New York Yankees; Wezet pitched in college at Murray State. More: Memorial's Matthew Fisher and Myla Browning named 2025 SIAC Athletes of the Year The next step for Fisher is choosing professional or college baseball. He could sign with the Phillies or report to Indiana University. The deadline for any player to sign a contract, unless they've exhausted their collegiate eligibility, is July 30. The slot value for the 221st overall pick is $257.70k– the actual signing bonus could be higher or lower depending on negotiations and Philadelphia's entire bonus pool. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 2025 MLB Draft: Matthew Fisher picked by Philadelphia Phillies
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Matthew Fisher receives maiden call-up as New Zealand announce squad for Zimbabwe Test series
Wellington [New Zealand], July 8 (ANI): Right-arm seamer Matthew Fisher received a maiden call-up from the national team asthe squad announced for the upcoming two-match test series against Zimbabwe. The former New Zealand Under-19 player has taken 51 first-class wickets at an average of 24.11 across 14 matches. New New Zealand coach Rob Walter believes Fisher has a bright future at Test level and is looking forward to seeing what the 25-year-old can produce against Zimbabwe. 'Matt (Fisher) is someone we're really excited about; he's one of the fastest bowlers in the country, and we think he's got an x-factor. We're blessed to have a large number of strong, fast bowlers in this country, giving him a little bit of touring experience and a taste of what it means to be part of the Black Caps,' Walter said as quoted by ICC official website. New Zealand will be without their spearhead Tim Southee after he retired late last year. Other regulars like Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell have also made themselves unavailable for the two-match series. At the same time, Kyle Jamieson has taken time off as he awaits the birth of his first child, and Ben Sears has been ruled out due to an injury. Walter added that while they will miss the talent and the class, it also provides an opportunity for others to showcase their talent. 'Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process. While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren't part of the ICC World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion. We're lucky to be able to call on the likes of Ajaz (Patel) and Henry (Nicholls) who are both proven performers at Test level,' he said. While Patel's last outing with New Zealand was a Player of the Match performance in the 3-0 whitewash over India last November, Nicholls is returning to the Test squad for the first time since December 2023. The Test squad is set to assemble at Bulawayo on 27 July, post the T20I tri-series at Harare. New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Matt Henry*,* Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young Series Schedule: First Test: July 30 - August 3, BulawayoSecond Test: August 7-11, Bulawayo. (ANI)
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
County Championship, day one - Notts, Surrey & Somerset all on top, Anderson skippering Lancs
Update: Date: 16:26 BST Title: 200 up for Kent Content: Lancashire v Kent 202-2 James Anderson is finding out this captaincy lark is no walk in the park. Lancashire simply cannot break this third-wicket stand of 120 and counting between Ben Compton and Tawanda Muyeye. Compton, on 81no, will be eyeing a century. Update: Date: 16:25 BST Title: Post Content: Essex 208-6 v Hants Eddie Jack drops slightly short and Simon Harmer climbs in. Four to the South Africa international, who moves on to 14. Update: Date: 16:18 BST Title: WICKET Content: Allison c Burns b Fisher 3 (Worcs 153-8 v Surrey) A third wicket for Matthew Fisher. He's been excellent today and Fisher has Ben Allison edging to Burns who snaffles his third catch of the day. Update: Date: 16:15 BST Title: 50 for Pears' Matthew Waite Content: Worcs 153-7 v Surrey He's playing a lone hand for Worcestershire and he's playing it very well. Matthew Waite has been the man standing on the deck while the ship goes down. He scampers a single and gets to 50 from 80 balls with six fours. Update: Date: 16:11 BST Title: WICKET Content: Simpson c O Robinson b Conners 40 (Durham v Sussex 220-5) Straight after tea. An 80-run partnership comes to an end and John Simpson is livid with himself. He's already played a nice shot for four and when he tries to repeat it he edges behind off Sam Conners and Ollie Robinson does the rest. Update: Date: 16:11 BST Title: Tea at Edgbaston Content: Warwickshire v Somerset 195-2 Corey Rocchiccioli bowls around the wicket for the penultimate over before tea before Jacob Bethell takes the last to no major event. So, 37 overs to be bowled in the last session, though it should not take as long as some may fear if the West-Australian offie and English left-armer continue to bowl a fair amount, at least to the new ball 31 overs away. Update: Date: 16:09 BST Title: 150 up for Worcestershire Content: Worcs 150-7 v Surrey Matthew Waite is helping Worcestershire eke out every possible run but you just feel whatever they get it won't be enough. Anyway they now have 150 on the board as he nudges a single which is greeted by a ripple of applause by the home crowd. Update: Date: 16:03 BST Title: 50 for Muyeye Content: Lancashire v Kent 189-2 Just 66 balls required for Tawanda Muyeye to bring up his 50. Kent bottom of Division Two despite winning two of their seven games thus far. They'll be fancying their chances of leapfrogging Lancashire, who are a point better off despite not having won a Championship game this summer, the way things have gone today. Update: Date: 16:02 BST Title: Tea at Trent Bridge Content: Notts 196-3 v Yorks Nottinghamshire go to tea in a handy spot, with opener Ben Slater unbeaten on 78. Yorkshire will feel they are firmly in the game if they can nip out one or two quick wickets in the evening session. Update: Date: 15:58 BST Title: Teatime scores Content: Division One Division Two Update: Date: 15:56 BST Title: WICKET Content: Kohler-Cadmore c Davies b Simmons 104 (Warwickshire v Somerset 187-2) One brings two and all to Che Simmons whose extra pace also has Tom Kohler-Cadmore out attempting the hook shot. It is a high risk shot whether fielders are out on the boundary or not - they were not required as skipper Alex Davies takes the catch this time. Still a top knock, a rare hundred from a Somerset red-ball opener and particularly impressive being his first time doing so this year. Two left-handers in now as James Rew comes to the middle and is also off the mark first ball with a single dropped into the off side off the back foot. Update: Date: 15:51 BST Title: Tea at Northampton Content: Northants v Middlesex 250-6 And the refreshments will taste just that tad sweeter for Middlesex after they secured their first batting point of the game just before the break. Luke Hollman (46) and Joe Cracknell (43) take the seventh-wicket stand to 90. Middlesex were 33-3 after eight overs - but that will seem a very long time ago now to the Northants attack. Update: Date: 15:50 BST Title: Tea at New Road Content: Worcs 149-7 v Surrey Surrey's session but Worcestershire are hanging on, mainly thanks to Matthew Waite's unbeaten 47. The home side were 79-4 in that afternoon stint with the sheer relentlessness of the visitors' attack giving them little respite. Waite has watched wickets fall from the pavilion and at the non-striker's end - this is bottom against the defending champions and the gap is clear to see. Former Pear Nathan Smith has also taken a wicket on his return to New Road. Update: Date: 15:50 BST Title: WICKET Content: Davey c Barnard b Simmons 64 (Warwickshire v Somerset 186-1) Che Simmons bounces Josh Davey and tucks him up, some decent pace from the Barbados born quick. His attempted pull shot is pouched by Ed Barnard (still yet to bowl) at fine leg. I do not think Tom Lammonby has ever come in at 186-1 in his is nearly run out later in the same over, Tom Kohler-Cadmore again not fancying a quick single, but again his partner survives. Update: Date: 15:50 BST Title: Tea at Chelmsford Content: Essex 193-6 v Hants The players head off for a breather with the match finely poised. Charlie Allison is the key man for Essex, unbeaten on 50, while Kyle Abbott has bowled magnificently for his three wickets. The home side will want to push on after tea and set a challenging total, while Hampshire will fancy having a bat before the close. Update: Date: 15:47 BST Title: WICKET Content: Clarke c Revis v Moriarty 31 (Notts 186-3 v Yorks) A stunning catch from Matthew Revis brings Joe Clarke's time at the crease to an end. Clarke tries to take Dan Moriarty over Revis at mid-on, but the big man sticks up his left hand as he backpedals and the ball sticks. Update: Date: 15:46 BST Title: Tea at the Riverside Content: Durham v Sussex 209-4 A good session for Sussex who have rebuilt from 140-4 with James Coles and John Simpson going along comfortably. Skipper Simpson was dropped in the slips off Matthew Potts early in his innings and has since moved to 30 while Coles was put down when flicking at one on the leg side. Coles has struck 10 fours in his unbeaten 70 and will feel there are plenty more runs out there. Update: Date: 15:46 BST Title: 50 for Allison Content: Essex 193-6 v Hants Charlie Allison punches a single to long-off and moves to 50 from 99 deliveries. A fine knock from the 20-year-old. Update: Date: 15:44 BST Title: Dropped catch Content: Lancashire v Kent 153-2 Not a dolly by any means but the sort of chance Lancashire have to take if they are going to end their win drought. Ben Compton gets a toe-end nick off Chris Green and it just about carries to Keaton Jennings, the sole slip fielder, but he can't grasp it diving forward and the half-chance, perhaps better, goes begging. Kent have really stepped up the run rate since the resumption after that rain break, Compton up to 57no and Tawanda Muyeye up to 36no off 50 balls. Update: Date: 15:44 BST Title: Tea at Grace Road Content: Leicestershire v Glamorgan 178-3 A quieter period leading into the tea interval as Kiran Carlson has reached 18* off 51 balls allowing Colin Ingram to get in alongside him. They will return in the East Midlands in 20 minutes for the evening session. Asa Tribe's maiden hundred the main talking point of today as away fans were sad to see him depart in the last hour, with the ball and field seemingly at his mercy otherwise.
