José Fernández (pitcher)

José Fernández

Fernández with the Miami Marlins in 2016
Miami Marlins – No. 16
Starting pitcher
Born: (1992-07-31) July 31, 1992
Santa Clara, Cuba
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 7, 2013, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through May 4, 2016)
Win–loss record 25–11
Earned run average 2.59
Strikeouts 383
WHIP 1.05
Teams
Career highlights and awards

José D. Fernández (born July 31, 1992) is a Cuban American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He bats and throws right-handed. He made his MLB debut in 2013.

Fernández was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, and made three unsuccessful attempts at defecting before he successfully defected in 2008. He enrolled at Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida, and was selected by the Marlins in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft. Fernández made his MLB debut with the Marlins on April 7, 2013. He was named to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game and won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Month Award in July and August. After the season, he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award, and finished third in Cy Young Award balloting.

Fernández is the first pitcher in the modern era to win his first 17 career home decisions.

Early life

Fernández grew up in Santa Clara, Cuba. His stepfather, Ramon Jimenez, defected from Cuba in 2005, settling in Tampa, Florida. José attempted to defect unsuccessfully three times, with each failed defection attempt followed by a prison term.[1] José and his mother and sister defected in 2007. On that successful attempt, José's mother fell overboard when the boat hit turbulent waters, and José had to dive into the water to save his mother's life.[1]

Knowing Orlando Chinea, a coach who had trained some of Cuba's top pitchers before he defected from Cuba, lived in the area, Jimenez had his son train with Chinea.[2] He attended Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida.[3] Playing on the high school baseball team, Fernández was part of the Florida Class 6A state champions in his sophomore and senior seasons.[4] Before his senior year in 2011, the Florida High School Athletic Association ruled that Fernández was ineligible, as he entered the ninth grade while in Cuba in 2006, and had therefore exhausted his eligibility. The Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB) were prepared to sign Fernández as an international free agent to a $1.3 million signing bonus. Fernández won an appeal and was declared eligible for his senior year, ending Cincinnati's pursuit.[5] As a senior, Fernández pitched to a 13–1 win–loss record with a 2.35 earned run average (ERA) and 134 strikeouts. He also threw two no-hitters.[4]

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

The Florida Marlins selected Fernández in the first round, with the 14th overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft.[3] Fernández signed with the Marlins, receiving a $2 million signing bonus.[4] After he signed with the Marlins, he was assigned to the Jamestown Jammers of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League.[6]

Fernández during his tenure with the Jupiter Hammerheads, advanced-A affiliates of the Marlins, in 2012

Pitching for the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL) to start the 2012 season, Fernández threw the first six innings of a combined no-hitter.[3] He was twice named the SAL pitcher of the week.[7] Fernández was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.[8] During the season, he was promoted to the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. He finished the 2012 season with a 14–1 win-loss record, a 1.75 ERA, and 158 strikeouts in 134 innings pitched at Greensboro and Jupiter. He was named the Marlins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.[9]

Miami Marlins (2013–present)

2013 season: Rookie of the Year

Prior to the 2013 season, Baseball America ranked Fernández as the Marlins' best prospect and the fifth best prospect in all of baseball.[10][11] The Marlins invited Fernández to spring training, but sent him to minor league camp before the season began. However, they chose to add Fernández to their 25-man Opening Day roster, due in part to injuries to Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Álvarez.[12] Also, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria hoped that promoting Fernández would buy him goodwill with the fans, following a fire sale the previous offseason.[13] He was planned to be limited to approximately 150 to 170 innings during the 2013 season in order to protect his development.[14]

The Marlins scheduled his major league debut on April 7, against the New York Mets.[15] In his MLB debut, Fernández pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits with eight strikeouts. He became the seventh pitcher under the age of 21 to record at least eight strikeouts in his MLB debut since 1916.[16] He impressed in his second start.[17] Despite a rough outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 27, Rays' manager Joe Maddon took to Twitter soon after watching Fernández pitch, saying, "Jose Fernandez might be the best young pitcher I've ever seen, at that age. I believe he will go far."[18]

On July 6, 2013, Fernández was selected to represent the Miami Marlins for the National League All Star team. He pitched a perfect 6th inning in the 2013 All-Star Game in which he struck out Dustin Pedroia, induced Miguel Cabrera to pop up for a flyout and struck Chris Davis out. With this performance Fernandez is one of only three pitchers in the history of the All-Star Game who struck out two batters prior to their 21st birthday for their All-Star debut, the other two being Dwight Gooden and Bob Feller.[19]

Against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 28, Fernández recorded 13 strikeouts, earning the 3–2 victory.[20] With Fernández's 14 strikeout performance against the Cleveland Indians on August 3, 2013, he became just the sixth pitcher since 2000 to strike out 13 or more batters in consecutive games.[21] He established the Marlins' rookie record for most strikeouts in one game. On the heels of his performance in July 2013, Fernández was named the Rookie of the Month for the National League, leading all qualified rookie pitchers in the ERA category.[22] He followed up his July month with a tremendous August, in which he compiled a 1.15 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched, which resulted him in receiving a consecutive Rookie of the Month for the month of August 2013.[23]

Fernandez's rookie season has been considered historic[24][25] as his 4.2 Wins Above Replacement places him in the Top 10 player seasons among those under 21 years old since 1900. Fernandez's Adjusted ERA+ of 174[26] on the season also places him in the Top 10 all-time for pitchers under the age of 21, and is only the fourth pitcher to record this feat in the past 100 years.[27] His strikeout rate is the highest in his league, pacing the National League at 9.81 strikeouts per nine innings.[28]

On September 11, 2013, Fernandez hit his first career home run off of Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Minor. After crossing home plate, Fernandez was confronted by Brian McCann which then led to a bench-clearing fracas.[29]

At the time after his last start of his rookie season, Fernandez was in the top 10 of many pitching statistics in the National League, including sixth in strikeouts (187), first in Strikeouts per nine innings (9.75) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.759), second in ERA (2.19) and Adjusted ERA+ (176), and third in WAR (6.3).[30] Fernandez won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award and the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award in the National League.[31][32] He came in third place in the Cy Young Award voting behind Adam Wainwright and winner Clayton Kershaw.[33]

2014 season

Fernández started his sophomore campaign as the Opening Day starter for the Marlins, making him the youngest opening day starting pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1986.[34] Fernández recorded nine strikeouts while walking none, and joining Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Ferguson Jenkins, Walter Johnson, and Cy Young as the only pitchers to do so on Opening Day.[35] On May 12, Fernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right elbow sprain. An MRI revealed that the elbow had a torn UCL, which prematurely ended Fernandez's 2014 season.[36][37] He underwent Tommy John surgery on May 16. He made 8 starts going 4–2 with a 2.44 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 2014.

2015 season

Fernández began the 2015 season on the 15-day disabled list, but was later moved to the 60-day DL to continue recovery from Tommy John surgery.[38] It was announced by the Marlins on June 15 that he would make his season debut on July 2.[39] In his debut, Fernandez recorded six strikeouts in six innings. He also hit a home run.[40] Fernández returned to the disabled list in August with biceps strain in his pitching arm.[41] He returned to the mound in September and set a major league record for consecutive wins at home by a single pitcher with his seventeenth such win on the 25th of that month.[42][43]

2016 season

Fernández pitching for the Miami Marlins in 2016 spring training

To aid his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Fernández cut back on the use of his fastball during spring training in 2016 and began working on his secondary pitches.[44]

Pitching style

Fernández throws four pitches: a four-seam fastball that averages 94–97 miles per hour (151–156 km/h) that can touch 99 miles per hour (159 km/h), a slurve at 80–86 miles per hour (129–138 km/h), a changeup at 85–88 miles per hour (137–142 km/h), and a sinker at 88–94 miles per hour (142–151 km/h).[45]

Personal

Fernández considers his grandmother, Olga, the "love of [his] life".[46] After six years apart, Olga and José were reunited in Miami after the 2013 season.[47][48] On April 24, 2015 Fernández received his US citizenship.[49][50]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 McCarthy, Charlie (January 17, 2013). "Jose Fernandez set to make MLB debut Sunday". Fox Sports Florida. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (April 2, 2013). "Miami Marlins: Top prospect Jose Fernandez credits personal pitching coach Orlando Chinea for speedy ascent to majors". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Florida high school sports | Former Alonso P Jose Fernández anchors minor league no-hitter". Tampa Bay. April 24, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "Marlins reach deal with top Draft pick Jose Fernandez". Mlb.com. August 15, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  5. ↑ Fay, John (July 12, 2015). "Reds were on the trail of Marlins' Fernandez". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Youngstown News, Scrappers double up Jamestown". Vindy. September 3, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Miami Marlins sending two prospects to All-Star Futures Game". Mlb.mlb.com. June 29, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  8. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (March 12, 2013). "Prospects pack rosters for 2012 All-Star Futures Game | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  9. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (September 29, 2012). "Marlins recognize top minor leaguers Yelich, Fernandez". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  10. ↑ Bailey, James (December 12, 2012). "Marlins top 2013 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  11. ↑ "2013 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 19, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Top Marlins prospect Jose Fernandez added to roster". USA Today. March 31, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Sources: Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria personally mandated pitching lineup change". Sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  14. ↑ Spencer, Clark (April 1, 2013). "WASHINGTON: In shocker, 20-year-old pitcher Jose Fernandez makes Miami Marlins starting rotation". Bradenton Herald. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Jose Fernandez set to make MLB debut Sunday". Fox Sports Florida. January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  16. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (April 7, 2013). "New York Mets walk-off Miami Marlins, deny Jose Fernandez win in stellar MLB debut". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  17. ↑ Spencer, Clark (April 14, 2013). "Rookie Jose Fernandez dazzles in Miami Marlins' win over Phillies". Miami Herald. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Twitter / RaysJoeMaddon: Jose Fernandez might be the". Twitter. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez shines at MLB All-Star Game". Miami Herald. July 17, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  20. ↑ Neal, David J. (July 29, 2013). "Jose Fernandez strikes out 13 as Marlins take series from Pirates". The Miami Herald. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  21. ↑ Lemire, Joe (August 3, 2013). "A young Jose Fernandez continues to make history in fanning 14 Cleveland Indians". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Fernandez named NL Rookie of the Month". Major League Baseball. August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Marlins Jose Fernandez voted National League Rookie of the Month for August". Major League Baseball. September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Fernandez's year might be best by rookie pitcher". Major League Baseball. September 11, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Jose Fernandez's Historically Great Season". SB Nation. September 1, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Jose Fernandez Statistics by Baseball-Reference". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Jose Fernandez is Having a Historic Season". Field Rush. August 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  28. ↑ "National League Leaderboards » 2013 » Starters » Dashboard". FanGraphs. September 2, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  29. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (September 11, 2013). "Fernandez apologizes after homer sets off fracas". Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ "2013 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  31. ↑ Spencer, Clark. "Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez named Sporting News NL Rookie of Year – Miami Marlins". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  32. ↑ Spencer, Clark (September 28, 2013). "ORLANDO: Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez voted NL Rookie of the Year – Miami Marlins". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  33. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (November 13, 2013). "Jose Fernandez third in NL Cy Young voting – Sun Sentinel". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Miami Marlins phenom pitcher Jose Fernandez to be front and center on Opening Night". Miami Herald. March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Grandmother enjoys watching Marlins' Fernandez pitch, win". Associated Press. April 4, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  36. ↑ Brown, David (May 12, 2014). "Marlins expect Jose Fernandez to have season-ending elbow surgery". sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  37. ↑ Spencer, Clark (May 13, 2014). "Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez to undergo Tommy John surgery, miss 2014 season". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Miami Marlins - TeamReport". Reuters. June 2, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  39. ↑ Davis, Craig (June 15, 2015). "Fernandez targets return for July 2 vs. Giants". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  40. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (July 2, 2015). "Welcome back, back, back ... Jose Fernandez!". MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  41. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (August 11, 2015). "Fernandez (biceps strain) to DL; no structural damage". MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  42. ↑ Spencer, Clark (September 25, 2015). "Jose Fernandez struggles but sets unbeaten home record as Marlins top Braves 12-11". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Jose Fernandez 1st to win first 17 home decisions as Marlins beat Braves". ESPN. Associated Press. September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  44. ↑ Spencer, Clark (March 7, 2016). "New mind-set for Miami Marlins’ Jose Fernandez". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Player Card: Jose Fernandez". brooksbaseball.net. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  46. ↑ Batard, Dan Le (July 16, 2013). "Dan Le Batard: Stars align for Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez – Dan Le Batard". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Marlins' Jose Fernandez has emotional reunion with grandmother". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  48. ↑ Berg, Ted (July 16, 2013). "Jose Fernandez’s reunion with his Cuban grandmother will make you cry". For The Win/USA Today. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Marlins’ Jose Fernandez Becomes U.S. Citizen". CBS Miami. April 24, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez, from Cuba, becomes US citizen". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 24, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.

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