Former Northwest standout Fisher transfers to Auburn after two seasons at Florida

Published 11:30 am Monday, July 15, 2024

Former Northwest Whitfield High School baseball standout Cade Fisher is on the move after spending two seasons pitching for the University of Florida.

Fisher announced on social media Saturday his commitment to the baseball team at Auburn University as a transfer.

Fisher, who pitched for the Gators during their appearance in the College World Series in June, entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the season.

The 2022 graduate of Northwest had six wins and zero losses credited to him during a freshman campaign at Florida in 2023 in which he finished with an ERA of 3.10. He was named to Perfect Game’s Freshman All-American team, as well as the All-SEC Freshman team.

As a sophomore, the left-handed pitcher went 4-3 with an ERA of 7.13. As a sophomore, Fisher made nine starts and appeared in 28 games, striking out 76 batters in 59 1/3 innings pitched.

“At this point in my career, I want to be a starter,” Fisher reportedly told Auburn Undercover, a site in the 247Sports network that covers Auburn athletics. “I think it’s the most fun I have pitching and it feels like it’s where I’m at my best. They talked to me about earning a weekend spot here and it’s up for grabs. That excites me. It definitely played a part in my decision as well.”

Ranked the top lefty in Georgia by recruiting service Perfect Game in the 2022 recruiting class, Fisher originally committed to the Gators in 2019, before he ever appeared on a high school mound.

During his senior season at Northwest in 2022, Fisher struck out 138 batters in 77 innings pitched while going 7-1 as a starting pitcher. At the plate, he belted 22 hits and had 29 RBIs.

According to high school state records compiled by the Georgia Dugout Club, the state’s high school baseball coaches association, Fisher’s high school career ERA 0.71 is the very best in the history of the state, in all classifications.

Fisher joins an Auburn team that went 27-26 last season. The Tigers went 8-22 in a tough Southeastern Conference. The SEC sent four teams to the eight-team College World Series in 2024, including Fisher’s Florida.

On Auburn’s roster, Fisher will join fellow former Florida Gator Deric Fabian, who transferred to the Tigers in 2023.

“I love Deric. He’s one of my good friends,” Fisher told Auburn Undercover. “Once he found out I was in the portal, I think he texted me within 30 minutes. He was out in front of it. Any question I had about Auburn, about the fans, the facility, the gear, the atmosphere, the team, he was 100 percent honest with me. I consider him one of my best friends. That played a very big part in this decision as well.”