Fernandez making All-Star case for Marlins

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jose Fernandez is not scheduled to start for the Marlins during their four-game series at AT&T Park against the Giants. But San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy is well aware of what the 20-year-old is doing.

Fernandez has already emerged as one of the top rookies in the National League, and he is making a case to represent the Marlins in the All-Star Game.

Bochy will be managing the National League squad in the Midsummer Classic, which is July 16 at Citi Field.

"He's a nice young talent -- gifted arm, hard thrower, good breaking ball," Bochy said. "Threw a great game in Arizona, a tough place to pitch, [Wednesday]. At his age, doing the things that he's doing is pretty impressive. He's their No. 1 guy and is going to be around for a long time."

Fernandez is coming off a tough loss at Arizona, where he was charged with two runs in 7 1/3 innings in Miami's 3-1 loss to the D-backs.

The Marlins don't have any position players ranked among the leaders in the fan voting, which is ongoing at www.mlb.com and www.marlins.com.

Each team has a representative, and Fernandez has certainly impressed. He is 4-4 with a 3.05 ERA. Among NL rookies, he is second in strikeouts with 81. Only Shelby Miller of the Cardinals has more (96).

"A lot of people have definitely seen him," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "He is on the radar screen."

Fernandez, Miami's first-round pick in 2011, made the leap to the big leagues without previously pitching above Class A ball.

He's impressed with his composure, raw talent and makeup. He defected from Cuba five years ago, and he's continued to rise to the occasion.

He throws 97 mph and offsets his fastball with an 82 mph breaking ball.

The Marlins haven't had the excitement centered on a rookie pitcher since Dontrelle Willis was an All-Star in 2003.

"I think it would be cool to have an exciting young player like [Fernandez]," Redmond said. "I remember Dontrelle coming up and getting to the All-Star Game in his first year. Obviously, he had won nine or 10 in a row."