Tennessee’s Andrew Fischer is making a strong case of solidifying first-round status for the 2025 MLB draft.
Fischer continues to build on a remarkable season with the Volunteers, as he accounted for the first four runs for the Vols en route to a 10-0 run-rule victory on Friday night.
During Game 1 of Tennessee’s weekend series with Texas A&M, Fischer launched two home runs off of Texas A&M left-hander Ryan Prager. The Aggies’ lefty was a third round selection via the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 draft, but opted not to sign – ultimately returning to A&M for another season of college baseball.
For Fischer, it was his own scouting of the Aggies’ starter that lead to success on Friday night.
“Yeah, I got a good look at Prager last year,” said Fischer. “And, you know, obviously you want to come back (and have success). I didn’t really do a whole lot off him (last season), but, I wanted to get a little bit of revenge for myself. You kind of keep your own tallies of guys you faced in the past.
“I’m sure some of the pitchers will tell you, if they give up a homer to someone – the next time, even if it’s three years later that they face them – they’re keeping tallies. So there’s a little bit of an edge on the next heater that kid gets. So, I was looking for something to drive off him, and just wanted to get a good swing off early in the count, and I got good pitches early. And obviously, it worked out for me.”
A Fischer of Men
Fischer, along with Volunteer teammate Liam Doyle, transferred to Tennessee from Ole Miss in the summer of 2024. Fischer had a strong sophomore season for the Rebels, posting 17 home runs and a moderate walk-to-strikeout ratio of 35 to 44 through 181 at-bats. This season, the Vols’ first baseman has been on a tear. Fischer came into the weekend posting a 1.245 OPS and a BB/K rate of 2.07, good for fourth in the Southeastern Conference. Fischer leads the Volunteers in home runs (15) and walks (31) across 93 at-bats.
Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello on Fischer vs. Prager:
“Yeah, just like where he was as far as how he was seeing it,” Vitello said. “And we’ve all seen it before. I mean, he’s a he’s a man’s man. He’s a wrestler. He wants to hit the ball 500 feet. He’s always go-go-go. And you see that in the box sometimes not serve him very well. And he knows that. He’ll laugh about it, and he can make adjustments from pitch to pitch.
“But Prager is a guy that actually preys on that a little bit. And a lot of change ups, a lot of breaking balls get you off balance. And so for (Fischer) to be calm and smooth in his swing against a pitcher like Prager, was impressive to start with, and then how he struck the ball was more impressive.”
What Fischer’s Rise Means in the Draft
The development that has taken place during Fischer’s tenure at Tennessee is carrying the prospect squarely into the first round of the 2025 MLB draft.
There may be questions about defensive placement. But there shouldn’t be any concern about Fischer’s bat, nor his discipline at the plate.
Fischer is slashing .324/.455/.853 in SEC competition through 10 games this season. It’s an impact bat from the left side, with a good feel for the strike zone. The defensive concerns should take a back seat, as Fischer continues to grow into his role as a full-time first baseman for the Vols. He played 43 games at third base for Ole Miss, and also had time at the hot corner for Duke a season prior.
At Baseball Prospect Journal, we have the Comp A Round as a floor for Fischer, with the late 20s being a likely landing spot for the Manasquan, New Jersey, native. Fischer is a junior that will turn 21 years old this May, just two months before this summer’s draft.
