When Jose Fernandez was 15, he and his mother successfully defected from Cuba (on their fourth attempt) and settled in Florida. A baseball prodigy, Fernandez would become a first-round pick in the Amateur Draft in 2011, and two years later, he was a Miami Marlin.
At only 20 years old, Fernández showcased a unique talent for overpowering top Major League hitters. His debut in 2013 remains one of the most impressive in history. That season, he went 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA, led the league in hits allowed per nine innings (5.8), and earned the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He was also third in Cy Young Award voting, establishing himself as a potential top pitcher of his generation. However, fate had other plans.
Fernandez, the youngest Opening Day Pitcher since Dwight Gooden, had his second MLB season derailed in May by a torn UCL. He underwent Tommy John Surgery and made a late July 2015 comeback. Between his recovery and his record-breaking 2016 season, Fernandez was in top form. He earned his second All-Star nod and struck out a career-high 253 batters in just 182.1 innings. During this period, he was a consistent force on the mound, giving fans a compelling reason to attend every five-day game. His blend of a specialized "slurve" and a powerful fastball made each start feel like a potential no-hitter.
Sadly, the end for Fernandez far too soon. He died in a boating accident on September 25, 2016, at the age of 24, ending what could have been one of been a spectacular career. As it stood, Fernandez left us with what might have been.
Fernández compiled a 38-17 record, a 2.58 ERA, and 589 strikeouts.
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