The Twins released outfielder Derek Fisher from their Triple-A affiliate over the weekend, per the transactions log at MiLB.com. The former Astros, Jays and Brewers outfielder inked a minor league deal with Minnesota over the winter.
Once regarded as one of the game’s top outfield prospects, Fisher has managed just a .195/.285/.378 batting line through 466 plate appearances at the MLB level. Strikeouts have been a major problem for the now-28-year-old former No. 37 overall draft pick, as he’s punched out at a 35.4% clip in the big leagues.
Despite those Major League struggles, Fisher never seemed to have much trouble handling Triple-A opponents — at least until last season. He slashed .205/.271/.308 in 85 plate appearances with the Brewers’ top affiliate in 2021, and his .158/.259/.305 batting line through 108 trips to the plate for the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul marked an even bigger step back. He got out to a decent start with the Saints, but Fisher collected just four hits over his final 45 at-bats prior to his release, missing two weeks with a shoulder issue along the way.
Fisher is still a 28-year-old .272/.361/.486 hitter in parts of six minor league seasons overall, so another club might take a look on a minor league deal, even his recent work doesn’t inspire much confidence.
was great on the lakers but has fallen off ever since tbh
I remember when he got traded to the Thunder and whined and refused to play for them.
Funny cause the other Derek Fisher got fired not that long ago
Lol at one point I wanted him on my Padres.. (like 5 seasons ago) dude was mashing in the minors..
Not saying they should, but I could see the Padres picking up on a Minor League deal and seeing how he does.
Jays fans will remember him for taking a ball off the head in his first game with the team. They’ll also hate on him way more than they should, cause Jays fans still think Aaron Sanchez is a God for some reason
I would not be surprised if its the Giants.
Brian Cashman picking up the phone
Of course he is – Derek has a beard.
“Once regarded as one of the game’s top outfield prospects”
Exactly why prospects don’t mean a thing until they prove they can play in the big leagues. With exception of very, very few, trading prospects for proven talent is a better method for roster construction.
He’d be better than anything the A’s has to offer. FU Beane, and really FU FISHER!!!!
Don’t join the Red Sox and Matt Barnes. We all know Derek Fisher and Matt Barnes don’t get along
This just goes to show how difficult it is to evaluate young talent in baseball; especially with high school kids and Latin American 16 year olds who enter IFA signing periods. There are so many ‘Derek Fisher’ prospects who are well thought of and drafted high but are never able to make it. At least he earned a large signing bonus; he probably made more from that than he has from all his minor/major league salaries combined. Another team will give him a non-40 man chance but it’s highly unlikely he’ll end up on a major league team for an entire season.
Also, we’ll never see another Mike Piazza success story as there are no longer 60 round drafts but so many failures come out of the first and second round of the MLB draft while there are some serious steals (like Mookie Betts) in the 3rd round and beyond. Talent evaluators are still super important for all teams but there is a lot of luck involved in the MLB draft too.
He wasn’t good in baseball but was a decent nba player