Let’s look back and remember a star taken away before his time in former Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.
Before a magical season in 2011, Jose Fernandez had to win a court battle against the FHSAA for his eligibility, the ruling body for Florida High School sports ruled that since the righthander was a ninth grader in Cuba in 2006 he had used up his eligibility.
Well, a Florida court didn’t see it that way, they ruled in his favor. This paved the way for a 13-1 season for Fernández, that year he led Tampa’s Alonso High to their third straight state title in baseball. That year not only did he have a 2.35 ERA and 134 K’s but he also hurled two no-hitters.
The native of Villa Clara, Cuba was selected that year by the Miami Marlins in the draft with the 14th selection of the first round.
Dominating in the Minors
After being drafted by the fish he signed for 2 million dollars and was assigned to the Gulf Coast Marlins and Jamestown (A-) for the remainder of 2011. He only pitched four innings that season and had a 10.38 earned run average between both farm clubs.
In 2012, Fernández announced himself as a force to reckoned with, he commenced the season at Greensboro (A) with a 7-0 record, a 1.59 ERA in 14 games. This torrid start earned him a spot on the Future’s game roster.
He closed the season at Jupiter of the Florida State League and combined between both clubs finished 14-1, posted a 1.75 earned run average and struck out 158 in 134 innings.
This set the stage for a call up the following season.
A Miami Legend
The flamethrower made his debut on April 7th of 2013 against the Mets and was brilliant, that day he threw five strong innings in which he only allowed three hits, gave up one run and set a Marlins’ rookie record for strikeouts in a game with eight. That season Fernández in 172.2 innings won 12 games, fanned 187, and had a 2.19 ERA en route to rookie of the year honors and his first all-star selection.
The following season started well for the righty, he had 4-2 record when he tore the UCL in his elbow in May of that season and had to submit himself for Tommy John surgery. He missed nearly two seasons due to the injury. He returned mid-season in 2015 and went 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA.
In 2016 he made a triumphant return to form winning 16 games, striking out 253 and posting a 2.86 earned run average, all this in a career high 182.1 innings. Fernández made the all-star game for the second time in his four year career that season. Tragically on the 25 of September of that year he lost his life in a boating accident.
In four years in the majors the young Cuban won 38 games, struck out 589 in only 471.1 innings. He also posted a sparkling 2.58 ERA and become a legend in South Florida.
Although his time was brief on this earth and with Miami, Jose Fernández left a legacy that will live on for an eternity.