Big Cat import Dave Fischer continues to enjoy great success since his return to the USA. Upon his return, Dave conversed with several Major League organisations about his future and what he had to offer. He made no secret during his time in Australia that he still had a strong desire to play affiliated ball and see just how far his above average arm could take him.
The native of New York, originally drafted in the 44th round of the 2008 MLB draft out of Ballston Park HS, chose not to sign, but rather accept a scholarship to the University of Connecticut. He was again drafted in 2011 by the San Francisco Giants in the 30th round, choosing once again not to sign, but to complete his major in Geography. In 2012 he was drafted once more, this time by the Washington Nationals, with whom he eventually signed. Over the next two years he enjoyed some success in the Nationals organisation reaching as high as A+ n Potomac in the Carolina League.
Unfortunately, an arm injury curtailed his career and other than a brief stint in 2015 with Bridgeport in the independent Atlantic League, he did not throw at all. After making a comeback with the Rockland Boulders in the Can Am Independent League in 2016, where he posted some impressive numbers, going 9-3 over 108 innings and maintaining a miserly 2.91 era he was convinced he still had what it takes to make a career doing what he loves, throwing a baseball.
With this in mind, he decided to make the long trek to Australia to hopefully expose himself to some new opportunities and contacts whilst keeping himself and more importantly, his arm, strong and ready for another long season back home.
Not long after his return to the USA, he had his contract at Rockland purchased by the Minnesota Twins organisation and was invited to Spring training along with a host of other draftees and free agent signings, all fighting for limited spots on the roster of one of the Twins minor league affiliates. After impressing during his time in Florida he won himself a spot as a staring pitcher with the Fort Myers Miracle, the High A team of the Twins.
So far he has excelled in the Florida State League where he currently has a 3-2 record with a 3.42 era and has only given up 30 hits in his 38 innings of work. He also leads the team in strike outs. In his most recent outing he was lucky (or unlucky) enough to face 2 current Big Leaguers Troy Tulowitski and 2015 MLB MVP Josh Donaldson. IN what must have been an exciting day, Dave managed to strike them both out back to back with the bases loaded.
All the Big Cat family should be proud of Dave’s achievements and I know from talking with him that not only did he enjoy his time with us, but he credits it in some small way to helping with his current success. We wish him all the best for the remainder of the season and into the future and we will follow with interest.
Mick Wearne