Jameson Fisher was a fourth round draft pick out of five drafted from the Lions. Fisher was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. After Fisher’s injury from his junior year, he was a 2016 redshirt and received Southland Conference Player of the Year. Fisher was also the 2016 HERO Sports DI Baseball Fan Choice Award Winner.
The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown

The Lions had their largest draft-class in school history with five baseball players selected by teams during the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft. Southeastern first baseman Jameson Fisher was picked up by the Chicago White Sox in their fourth-round pick (116th overall) on Friday, Jun. 10. Pitchers Domenick Carlini, Kyle Cedotal, Pat Cashman and Mac Sceroler all had their names called by four teams on the last day of the draft. Carlini was selected by the Minnesota Twins, Cedotal was selected by the Colorado Rockies, Cashman was selected by the Chicago White Sox and Sceroler was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies. 

“I was so excited when I saw everybody else’s name as well,” said Cedotal about hearing the news of his teammates being selected. “Dom and Pat are incredible, incredible pitchers. Mac had an amazing year. Jameson obviously deserves it with all the work he’s done. Those guys deserve every bit of it.”

As of Jun. 13, Cashman has signed with the Chicago White Sox, the same team as fellow player Fisher.

“When I got drafted by the White Sox,  a ton of things instantly ran through my head,” said Cashman. “It took me a few seconds to realize that I was back with Jameson and I got even more excited. Jameson is one of the best guys I’ve met in my life and it’s a blessing to be able to start this next journey with him. I don’t know how long we will actually play together, but to be in the same organization makes me extremely pleased with the way everything happened.”

Now a player for the White Sox,  Cashman reflects on his time at the university and in the city.

“I loved my time in Hammond and wouldn’t change a thing about my experience there,” said Cashman “To me, Hammond is a place that brought me two of the best years of my life and is a place where my dreams came true. The people at Southeastern pushed me to new levels and reach levels, both as a player and person. I’m forever thankful for the people that I met and I’m glad to have another place to call home.”

Like many others who were drafted, the players left home only days after receiving the phone call that they were selected. Sophomore Sceroler, however, chose to return to Southeastern for another year as a Lion.

“It’s an honor to get drafted,” said Sceroler. “It’s every baseball player’s dream, but I’m a sophomore so I’m going to come back to Southeastern for my junior year. I’m spending the summer in the Cape Cod league and I’m going to learn a lot and get stronger and bring it all back to school next year. Hopefully I’ll get drafted in a better spot next June.”

Similarly, after high school Fisher also chose to attend Southeastern instead of signing a professional contract when he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 24th round back in 2012. After playing three seasons as a Lion, Fisher received another phone call offering the chance to further pursue his dreams. 

“It was a surreal moment,” said Fisher. “All the glory to God. I was at home with my family and got the call from my advisor saying the White Sox wanted to take me with their next pick. I played it off as if it was like the rest of the calls I had gotten all day when I went back inside to my family. I sat down and all of a sudden my name was called and everyone went crazy. Once it hit me it was emotional. I’ve had my ups and downs on this journey and there were times that I didn’t think I would get this opportunity. So for it to be here now is surreal and incredible. I wouldn’t be here without family, friends, teammates and coaches, but most importantly God.”

Despite receiving an arm injury his junior year, Fisher worked hard to come back stronger than his sophomore year. When he played again this past 2016 season as a redshirt junior and academic senior, Fisher received much recognition including receiving the Southland Conference Player of the Year, leading the nation in on-base percentage (.558) and more. 

“I was extremely proud and excited for him,” said baseball head coach Matt Riser. “He’s come a long way from his injury and worked extremely hard to get back. It was great to see him back to full strength and reap the benefits of all the hard work put in.”

According to Riser, Fisher maintains strong skills in hitting and recognizing pitches.

“He’s a big time hitter and probably the best hitter to come through this program in a long time,” said Riser. “He could take over a game by himself offensively. Jameson’s ability to recognize pitches is incredibly advanced for a college hitter. He’s very mature in his approach and has shown he’s ready for his professional career. The White Sox got an elite college hitter that will impact their organization immediately.”

Riser praised not only Fisher’s skills as an athlete, but character as a man.

“The person Jameson is speaks greater volume then the player,” said Riser. “He’s strong willed and has a ton of conviction in his faith. There’s a quality about his leadership that can’t be taught. People naturally follow Jameson whether he’s on the field or off. It’s a God given talent that’s in his DNA.”

Although the players were drafted, they will not begin with the major league team but must work their way up through different levels of the minor league system through their team. According to Cedotal, he will play short season in Idaho. Fisher will begin his journey in Arizona and will then settle in a number of possible places including Arizona, Montana or North Carolina and hopes to stay with a host family.

“There’s definitely a few nerves but I feel like once I get settled in and find my routine, I’ll be just fine,” said Fisher. “I’m excited to meet new people, see the country and play baseball for a living. It’s the same game, just a new atmosphere and level.”

As the players move on with their dreams and careers, they will also hold onto their time as a Lion and use what they have learned.

“I’m always going to hold onto our philosophy at Southeastern,” said Cedotal. “Our philosophy was to always maximize our potential. I feel like I did everything I possibly could here at Southeastern. And I’ve learned everything I could. Now I just have to do the same thing at the next level and learn everything I can be at the next level.”

Southeastern was the home of several other draft picks and major league players since 1985, including current major leaguer Wade Miley. Fisher was the highest overall draft pick since Miley was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 and is the fourth-highest draft pick in program history. With this group, there have now been ten Lions drafted in the Matt Riser era.

“I will never be a stranger to Lion Nation,” said Fisher. “It’s a special place with special people and I’ll always know I have a home fifty miles down the road from Zachary.”

Pat Cashman was one name called out during the MLB draft.
The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown 

 Kyle Cedota was one of the names called out during the MLB draft.
The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown

Mac Sceroler was one of the names called during the MLB draft.
The Lion's Roar/File Photo

Domenick Carlini was one called during the MLB draft.
The Lion's Roar/Megan Ferrando