THE NEW HAMPSHIRE Fisher Cats graduated their best first baseman in franchise history.

Switch-hitter Mike McDade got the news he’d been waiting for, earning a much-deserved promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday. McDade played nearly two seasons for the Fisher Cats, winning the All-Star Game Home Run Derby last season and helping power the franchise to the 2011 Eastern League title.

McDade, who batted .275 with 15 homers for New Hampshire this season, leaves the last-place Fisher Cats (42-67) for the playoff-hungry Las Vegas 51s (62-46) of the Pacific Coast League. It’s also a trip home for McDade, who grew up in Las Vegas and was drafted in high school by the Blue Jays in the sixth round of the 2007 draft.

Defensively, McDade was the club’s top first baseman since the inaugural 2004 season. His glove and underrated mobility helped prevent more runs than predecessors John-Ford Griffin (2005), Kevin Barker (2005), Chip Cannon (2005-2007), Brian Dopirak (2008) and David Cooper (2009-10).

The ever-changing Fisher Cats roster will now include fifth-rounder Ryan Schimpf, a middle infielder who batted .266 with 14 homers at Advanced-A Dunedin. The Fisher Cats open a six-game homestand tonight, hosting last-place Erie (48-60) of the Western Division. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

HEATING UP: Fisher Cats catcher Koby Clemens homered and drove two runs in Sunday’s extra-inning 3-2 loss at Altoona. The oldest son of Roger Clemens had three extra-base hits on road trip. Right fielder Brad Glenn looks to finish a productive month. The slugger is batting .299 with six homers in July.

SCHEDULED STARTERS: Right-hander Ryan Tepera (4-1, 4.05 ERA), who has won his past three decisions, takes the mound tonight against the Tigers affiliate. Tepera hasn’t lost at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium this season. New Hampshire’s most productive overall pitcher, Yohan Pino (5-6, 3.80 ERA), will start the Wednesday 12:05 p.m. contest. Fellow righty Fernando Hernandez (3-6, 4.94 ERA) is scheduled to pitch on Thursday night. Erie righty James Avery (10-7, 4.24 ERA), one of four 10-game winners in the EL, is scheduled to make a start against New Hampshire.

PROSPECT WATCH: Detroit’s top position-player prospect, Nick Castellanos, will make his first appearance in Manchester tonight. The third baseman-turned-outfielder has made a rapid ascent to Double-A since earning high school Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Florida in 2010. Castellanos is batting .309 with six homers since being called up to Erie in June. The 20-year-old is a career.360 hitter in the minors.

Castellanos, along with fellow outfielder Avisail Garcia, made the most of their off-day on Monday after making an overnight trip from Erie to Manchester. The Tigers farmhands took a cab ride to Boston and joined the parent club at Fenway Park. They even stepped onto the field for batting practice, joining the Tigers before the series opener against the Red Sox.

Erie second baseman Niuman Romero is batting .309, ranking fifth in the Eastern League. First baseman Jordan Lennerton ranks second in the EL with 18 homers and 66 RBIs.

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com.