The Philadelphia Phillies continued the trend this year in the 2025 MLB Draft by selecting their seventh straight pitcher in the draft. Matthew Fisher, a high school arm from Memorial High School in Indiana, had his name selected in the seventh round at pick 221. He became the first player drafted from Memorial High School since 1993, when Don Mattingly was selected.
Fisher entered the draft with a high grade that had some thinking he could be selected in the first round and was ranked No. 46 in the MLB Pipeline rankings. His fastball, curveball, and slider all graded at 55 from the scout grades, while also having an overall grade of 50. The fastball Fisher throws has been 92-93 mph but has already touched 95 even as a high school thrower.
His final stats in his senior season were 6-0 with a 0.76 ERA, striking out 61 batters in 36 2/3 innings of work, per Kyle Sokeland of the Evansville Courier & Press. He was the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Indiana. He is considered a mid-rotation starter with a plus fastball and slider who is one of the more athletic pitchers drafted, while he also played quarterback in high school.
Phillies need to sign Matthew Fisher to complete their seventh-round steal
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN had the Phillies selecting Fisher in the first round of his final mock draft. Instead, the Phillies potentially pick up one of the biggest steals of the MLB draft in the seventh round, as he was also ranked the second-highest heading into Day 2 of the draft. The only catch here will be if the Phillies can lock in the seventh-round pick and strike a deal to keep him.
His slot value is $257,700, but if he was projected as a first-rounder this year, he might find it beneficial to play a year in college, especially in the NIL days. He is committed to playing baseball at Indiana. The deadline this year to sign all draft picks is July 28.
Being his high school quarterback could have played into his draft stock falling. He fractured his elbow playing football during his sophomore season but hasn't had any problems since the injury. His commitment to Indiana is another reason potentially for the fall. Either way, the Phillies have a chance to complete one of the biggest steals in the draft by locking in this pick.
The Phillies have not been shy to draft high school pitching prospects, most recently Andrew Painter (No. 1 in the Phillies system) in 2021, and Mick Abel (No. 5) who saw big league action this season after being selected in 2020.