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What Tony Vitello said on Andrew Fischer going No. 20 overall

On3 imageby: Eric Cain07/14/25_Cainer
Andrew Fischer
Tennessee's Andrew Fischer (Photo via UT Athletics)

Tony Vitello, who was on the MLB Network set providing draft analysis for the first round, was quick to comment on Andrew Fischer being drafted No. 20 overall by the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday night.  

“He can play third. We had a quirky thing happen in practice. We throw him at first, and he just took to it,” Vitello recalled of Fischer’s defensive versatility. “He took to it because he’s very confident and obviously a strong, physical kid.” 

With the selection, Tennessee has now tied a program record with three first round picks that was set by J.P Arencibia, Julio Borbon and James Adkins back in 2007. Fischer becomes the 24th first round pick in program history and the ninth of the Tony Vitello era. The slot value assigned to the No. 20 overall pick is $4,268,100.

“My comp for him is Vinny Chase, because when he goes around, the Jersey Shore crowd follows him,” Vitello laughed. “I hope his posse stays safe tonight. I know he will because he’s an ambitious kid, but he is Jersey Shore to a tee. He’s right down there by Tom’s River.”

Fischer hit a team-high 25 home runs after transferring from Ole Miss ahead of the 2025 season. He hit .341 while also leading Tennessee in RBI (65), runs scored (70), total bases (165), walks (63), slugging percentage (.760), on-base percentage (.497) and OPS (1.257). Fischer reached base safely in every game this season. The first baseman became the first Tennessee player to lead the Southeastern Conference in home runs since hall of famer Todd Helton did so in 1995.

“Great personality, but a little bit of a misunderstood personality. He’s a really lovable kid,” Vitello concluded. “He’s just a big teddy bear on the field that loves competing, loves being around the guys, loves being around the group.”

The junior becomes the 24th first round pick in Tennessee program history and the ninth of the Tony Vitello era. Fischer joins teammates Liam Doyle and Gavin Kilen as first round sections, tying a program record with three in the opening round that was set by J.P. Arencibia, Julio Borbon and James Adkins in 2007. It’s the eighth time in program history Tennessee has sported multiple first round draft picks.

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