On the fast track? First-rounder Andrew Fischer signs, swings with the Brewers

First-round draft choice Andrew Fischer made it official with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday afternoon, July 25, signing his contract, joining the fold and even taking a few swings with the major-league team.

As for when he might become a permanent resident of American Family Field, Fischer is going to allow the process to play itself out.

“I don’t really have an idea as far as that. It’s day by day right now," said Fischer, the 20th overall pick out of the University of Tennessee whose reported bonus of $3.5 million came in well under the recommended slot value of $4,268,100.

Regarded as the most advanced college hitter in the draft, he certainly profiles as someone who will be on the fast track to the major leagues even if he was hesitant to provide any sort of timetable for his arrival.

Milwaukee's 2024 first-round pick, high-school outfielder Braylon Payne, was quite the opposite, predicting he'd follow the Jackson Chourio route and debut in the majors by age 21 (and, to his credit, the 18-year-old is performing well at Class A Carolina).

"I feel like I can compete against these guys right now, but obviously you’ve got to show that first," Fischer continued. "We’ll see. That’s up to them, but I’m going to do everything I can to do whatever it takes to help this team win. That’s the idea.

"That’s what the Brewers are about. They’re a gritty team. Whether the have the worst record in baseball or the best record in baseball, you know you’re going to have a tough game against the Brewers. These guys just want to win.

"That’s what I want to do. I want to win and however I can help the team do that (I will).”

Brewers first-round pick Andrew Fischer meets with the media after signing his contract: pic.twitter.com/gazdw0ETys

— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) July 25, 2025

Fischer, who turned 21 on May 25, was outfitted with Brewers gear and took part in pre-game batting practice with the team, a standard practice for first-round position players after they sign.

On an oppressively humid afternoon, he termed his session as "not the best," and "a little shaky," which isn't too surprising considering he hasn't hit much competitively since Tennessee's season ended in early June.

And then there's the "fourth deck factor" that so many young players mention when taking a major-league field for the first time.

“It’s crazy. You look up, and it’s the never-ending stadium," he said. "It’ll be exciting to see it filled with a bunch of people.

“It’s a pretty surreal feeling. You get a chance to get out here on the field and hit in front of some of these guys. You’ve got Yeli (Christian Yelich) leaning on the cage.

"I’m grateful to have the opportunity."

He also met Pat Murphy, which, often times for young players can be a little nerve-wracking considering how much grief the Brewers manager enjoys giving them.

"It was good," Fischer said. "He said he gives first-rounders a hard time."

As for what's next for Fischer, he'll head to the team's Maryvale complex in Phoenix to be onboarded. Once he accumulates some at-bats in games down there, the organization will assess where Fischer is at and chart a course of action that could including closing the season at advanced Class A Wisconsin.

"Get him some time to do that and then from there, we’ll see," said vice president of amateur acquisition Tod Johnson. "I don’t know for sure that he’ll go out to an affiliate. But typically, if guys are ready to go and help they end up coming back here to Appleton."

A first baseman this past season at Tennessee with a background at third base, the Brewers are listing Fischer at third for the time being although players tend to cycle through several positions their first few years in the minors before settling at one spot.

There's no question Milwaukee could use Fischer to be a fast mover through the organization, with 2023 first-rounder Brock Wilken sidelined for potentially the rest of the season with a dislocated kneecap and Caleb Durbin playing well at the major-league level but not necessarily being viewed as a long-term solution at third.

"It could be a few games at third and one or two at first or something like that," Johnson said of the plan. "But we want to give him every chance to develop as a third baseman."

In addition to Fischer, the Brewers also announced the signings of left-hander JD Thompson (Round 2); left-hander Frank Cairone (Round 2 supplemental); right-hander Jacob Morrison (Round 3); right-hander Joshua Flores (Round 4); right-hander Sean Episcope (Round 5); shortstop Daniel Dickinson (Round 6); outfielder Josiah Ragsdale (Round 7); right-hander Hayden Vucinovich (Round 8); left-hander Andrew Healy (Round 9); and right-hander Braylon Owens (Round 10).

With shortstop Brady Ebel (Round 1 compensation) having been inked last weekend, Milwaukee has now signed all of its Day 1 picks, in addition to catcher Rylan Mills (Round 18).

The deadline to sign draft picks is Monday, July 28 at 4 p.m. Central, with the Brewers still having nine players left to ink.

Shortstop CJ Hughes (Round 11) and left-hander Cooper Underwood (Round 12) are among those with what are believed to be strong commitments to California-Santa Barbara and Georgia Tech, respectively.

"There’s a number of kids we’re still talking to that have the option (of going to college)," said Johnson. "So, we’re working through that with them and seeing where we are. But the bulk of the class is already out in Phoenix. But we expected to be where we are.

"Not behind schedule or anything. Excited about the next goal." Milwaukee also announced the signings of six non-drafted free agents: right-handers Jarrette Bonet, Thomas Conrad, Caleb Nieman, Peyton Niksch and Tanner Perry and catcher-outfielder C/OF Malachai Halterman.

"It’s an interesting group," said Johnson. "Halterman, who's athletic, has got a chance to catch and can run. The arms, it continues the path that we’ve gone with, trying to stockpile a bunch of interesting arms that have ingredients that are exciting to us and let the player development side establish them."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: On the fast track? First-rounder Andrew Fischer signs with the Brewers