Jose D. Fernandez...drafted by Marlins out of Alonso High School in Tampa, Fla., where the two-time state champion went 13-1 with a 1.35 ERA in 16 starts in his senior season. Fernandez died tragically in an apparent boating accident in Miami the next-to-last weekend of the 2016 regular season.
2015
Made 11 starts for Miami after returning from Tommy John surgery on July 2. Underwent surgery by Dr. Neal ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles on May 16, 2014, missing a total of 14 months. Finished third Major League season with 6-1 record and 2.92 ERA (64.2 ip/21 er), recording 79 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks...Made five rehab appearances between Single-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville, combining to go 1-2 with a 4.01 ERA (24.2/11), six walks and 33 strikeouts. Worked up to 90 pitches in final rehab start on June 27 with Jacksonville... Missed 29 games on 15-day disabled list with right biceps strain suffered in August 7 start at Atlanta. Placed on DL on August 11 (retro to August 8) and was reinstated on September 11...In season debut on July 2 vs. San Francisco, came away victorious after allowing three runs on seven hits (one home run) while walking none and striking out six over 6.0 innings. Helped cause with second career home run in second plate appearance (off Matt Cain)...Three runs allowed in debut snapped streak of 20 straight home starts allowing fewer than three earned runs, which fell one short of Major League record. San Diego's Andrew Cashner allowed fewer than three earned runs in 21 consecutive home starts from June 2013 to April 2015. One other pitcher did it in 20 straight home starts: Orel Hershiser (April 1985 to April 1986). - Elias...On July 9 vs. Cincinnati, made 22nd home start without a loss, surpassing Montreal's David Palmer for the longest streak of home starts without a loss to begin a career (since 1914), according to Stats LLC...Recorded third win of season after beating Arizona on July 22 at Chase Field. Tossed season-high tying 7.0 innings while striking out season-best 11. Marked first 10+ strikeout game since May 4, 2014 vs. Dodgers (10)... Held Padres scoreless on four hits over 6.0 innings on August 2 at Marlins Park... Walked two while striking out 10. Marked second 10+ strikeout game of season and ninth of career. Tied A.J. Burnett for second-most 10+ strikeout games in Club history, behind Ricky Nolasco's 13...Extended home unbeaten streak to 26 games with Sept. 25 start against Atlanta. Is one of six pitchers to have recorded 26+ consecutive home starts without a loss at any point of their Major League careers. The others are Kenny Rogers (38, 1997-2000 for the Yankees, A's, Mets, and Rangers), Zack Greinke (29, 2010-2012 for the Royals and Brewers), Lefty Grove (28, 1938-1941 for the Red Sox), Tommy Greene (27, 1991-1994 for the Phillies), and Ray Kremer (26, 1926-1927 for the Pirates). - Elias...In Sept. 25 start against Braves, allowed season-high six runs on nine hits. The nine hits were most allowed at home in career. Had previously given up seven to Giants in first start of 2015. Had never allowed more than three earned runs in any of previous 25 career starts at home...Is now 17-0 with a 1.40 ERA in his 26 career starts at home. Among players to debut since earned runs became an official statistic in 1912 (N.L.) and 1913 (A.L.), his ERA ranks fourth behind Ferdie Schupp (1.01), Rube Foster (1.34) and Vida Blue (1.39). Also, according to Elias, he passed Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82) for most consecutive home wins to start a career (since 1900); Allen and Hoyt both went 16-0 before taking their first loss... In final start, October 1 at Tampa Bay, allowed career-high 11 hits in 4-1 loss. Surrendered just two runs while striking out nine and walking none over 6.0 innings. Prior high for hits allowed was nine in previous start against Braves at Marlins Park.
2014
Had second Major League season cut short after undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 16 by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. In eight starts for Miami, went 4-2 with 2.44 ERA (51.2 IP/14 ER)...On March 31, became just second Cuban-born pitcher to make an Opening Day start for Marlins, joining Livan Hernandez in 1998. Ironically, Hernandez was also last Cuban-born pitcher to make an Opening Day start in Majors, doing so for Washington in 2011. - Elias...Became only second pitcher to earn a win on Opening Day after being voted Rookie of the Year in previous season. Only other pitcher to do that was Giants' John Montefusco, who was National League's top rookie in 1975 and then started and won San Francisco's season opener in 1976...Became just second pitcher to tally nine strikeouts while issuing no walks on Opening Day in last 16 seasons, and just 10th pitcher to do so in MLB history: Angels' Jered Weaver was last to do so on Opening Day 2012. - Elias...Earned National League Co-Player of the Week Award for Opening Week (with Charlie Blackmon), marking third career weekly award. Took home two Co-NL Player of the Week honors in 2013: first with Steve Cishek (July 22-28), and second with Jeff Samardzija (August 19-25)...Tied career-high with 14 strikeouts in 1-0 win at Atlanta on April 22. In that start, he and Alex Wood combined for 25 strikeouts (Fernandez 14; Wood 11), marking first time since July 31, 1901 that two starters younger than 24 each struck out more than 10 batters in a game. The 1901 contest saw Cincinnati's Noodles Hahn (22) strike out 11, while the Cubs' Long Tom Hughes struck out 15...Went career-best 19.2 consecutive innings without allowing a run from April 16-May 4. Previously tossed 18.1 scoreless from July 28-August 8, 2013...Named National League Pitcher of the Month for April, going 4-1 with 1.59 ERA (39.2 IP/7 ER), marking first career POM award. Held opponents to .174 average and struck out 55, with just eight walks (6.88 so/bb ratio). Averaged 12.48 so/9, second among NL starters, behind Stephen Strasburg (14.03)...Recorded 10 strikeouts on May 4 vs. the Dodgers, marking 252 strikeouts over first 35 career starts. Became 10th pitcher since 1914 to record 250+ strikeouts over first 35 career starts. Dwight Gooden topped list with 302 over first 35, followed by Kerry Wood (284), Hideo Nomo (282), Yu Darvish (279), Mark Prior (274), Herb Score (267), Bob Feller (264), Vida Blue (258) and Matt Harvey (257). - STATS LLC...Went 3-0 with a 0.78 ERA (34.2/3) in five home starts, improving lifetime mark to 12-0, 1.09 (132.2/16) in 20 starts at Marlins Park. Holds Club record for most consecutive home starts without a loss to begin a career, and is just second pitcher in Modern Era to go undefeated in his first 20 career starts at home, trailing record of 21 set by David Palmer from 1979-84. - STATS LLC and Elias
2013
After being slated to open season at Double-A Jacksonville, made Marlins' Opening Day roster due to injuries and went on to become National League All-Star and NL Rookie of the Year after going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA (172.2 IP/42 ER) in 28 starts for Miami. Set Club rookie records in ERA, strikeouts (187), average against (.182) and WHIP (0.98). Finished with second-lowest ERA and WHIP (min. 162.0 IP) in Club history for any pitcher, behind only Kevin Brown in 1996 in both categories (1.89 and 0.94, respectively). According to Elias, last rookie to finish with WHIP under 1.00 (min. 150.0 IP) was Toronto's Mark Eichhorn in 1986 (0.96), while last NL rookie was St. Louis' Dick Hughes in 1967 (0.96). Held opponents to a .182 average (111x611), best in Majors; last rookie to lead Majors in opponents' average was Kerry Wood in 1998 (STATS LLC). His 2.19 ERA ranked second in Majors, behind Clayton Kershaw (1.83). Became first pitcher to hold opponents to a .182 average or lower since Pedro Martinez in 2000 (.167). According to STATS LLC, since 1969, top five single-season BAA marks are: .167 - Pedro Martinez (2000, BOS), .171 - Nolan Ryan (1972, CAL), .172 - Nolan Ryan (1991, TEX), .181 - Sid Fernandez (1985, NYM), .182 - Hideo Nomo (1995, LAD). According to Elias, tied Nomo (1995) for lowest ML rookie mark (min. 150.0 IP) since 1900. Among rookie pitchers with at least 15 starts, owned lowest ERA and opponents' average, in addition to recording most strikeouts . Posted 9-0 record and 1.19 ERA (98.0/13) in 15 starts at Marlins Park. His 15 home starts without a loss set a Major League record for a rookie season, according to STATS LLC. Home ERA and opponents' average (.164) led Majors, while nine home wins ranked tied for sixth (T-4th in NL). In addition, 15 consecutive starts at home without a loss marked Club record for a Marlin to start career. His 1.19 home ERA was lowest in team history. From June 1 to end of season, 1.50 ERA (120.1/20) was lowest in Majors (min. 110.2 IP), and .161 (67x415) opponents' batting average also led MLB. Made Major League debut on April 7 at Mets, allowing one run on three hits with a walk and eight strikeouts over 5.0 innings. With start, became third youngest player in Marlins history to make debut (20.250), behind Miguel Cabrera (20.064) and Giancarlo Stanton (20.212). Prior to Fernandez, RHP Yorman Bazardo held mark of youngest Marlins pitcher to appear in a game, making his debut on May 26, 2005 at 20 years and 319 days old. - STATS LLC. According to STATS LLC, was youngest pitcher on a 2013 Opening Day roster, as well as youngest Marlin to appear on an Opening Day roster in Franchise history. Became youngest pitcher to register eight or more strikeouts in Major League debut since June 27, 1973, when Rangers' David Clyde (18 years old) struck out eight Minnesota Twins. Recorded 13 strikeouts over first two career starts, tied with Tony Saunders for fourthmost in Marlins' history by a pitcher over first two starts. Chuck Smith tallied 17 in 2000, Scott Olsen struck out 15 in 2005 and Dontrelle Willis retired 14 in 2003 (STATS, LLC). According to ESPN Stats, Fernandez was first pitcher 20 years old or younger to allow one run or fewer and three hits or fewer in first two Major League starts since Rudy May of the Angels in 1965. Tied a Club rookie record (fifth time) by retiring 17 consecutive batters on May 4. According to STATS LLC, Dontrelle Willis (4/16/03), Andy Larkin (7/24/98), Tony Saunders (4/5/97) and Kurt Miller (6/16/94) are others to accomplish feat. On June 1 against Mets, became first rookie pitcher in 12 years to pitch at least 7.0 shutout innings and have two hits and an RBI at the plate. Jason Jennings had been last to do so, on August 23, 2001 for Colorado (also against Mets, in a 10-0 win). Held Padres to just two hits and one walk in 8.0 scoreless innings on July 1 at Marlins Park. According to STATS LLC, became just third pitcher age 20 or younger since 1921 with 10-plus strikeouts, two hits or fewer and one walk or fewer in a game, joining Dwight Gooden in 1984 and Kerry Wood in 1998. On July 7, became youngest Marlin ever selected to the All-Star Game and youngest Cuban-born player in history to earn All-Star honors. Tossed 1.0 scoreless inning in Midsummer Classic on July 13 at Citi Field, striking out two of three batters faced. Became third pitcher in All-Star history to record two strikeouts in All-Star appearance prior to 21st birthday, following likes of Dwight Gooden and Bob Feller. Became just fifth pitcher to appear in All-Star Game prior to 21st birthday, along with Gooden, Feller, Fernando Valenzuela and Jerry Walker. Earned National League Rookie of the Month honors for months of July and August. Was first pitcher to win award twice in same season since Craig Kimbrel in 2011 (June and August), and was first pitcher to win in consecutive months since Josh Johnson in 2006 (May and June). Claimed July honors after going 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA (35.0/8) in five starts, leading all rookies with 40 strikeouts. Honor followed up NL Co-Player of the Week award (with Steve Cishek) for July 22-28. Won award for August after finishing month with a 3-1 mark and 1.15 ERA (39.0 IP/5 ER). ERA for month ranked third in Majors, behind Alex Wood (0.90) and Kershaw (1.01). Held opponents to a .158 average, best in MLB, and 49 strikeouts, ranked second, behind Yu Darvish (64). Had most dominant stretch of season over two starts: July 28 vs. Pittsburgh (13 K, 0 BB) and August 2 vs. Cleveland (14 K, 1 BB). According to Elias, was one of four pitchers to strike out 13 batters without issuing a walk before the age of 21 in modern Major League history (since 1900). The others: Gary Nolan (15 K in 1967), Dwight Gooden (two 16-K games in 1984) and Kerry Wood (20 K in 1998). Nolan and Gooden accomplished feat as teenagers. On August 2, became first Marlins' rookie starter to have consecutive 10-plus-strikeout games since Jesus Sanchez in 1998, and first Marlins' starter overall to do so since Ricky Nolasco in 2008 (fifth time overall). The 27 combined strikeouts over those two starts were most ever by a Marlin in consecutive starts. According to Elias, was just fifth pitcher under age of 22 since 1900 to record consecutive 13-plus-strikeout games, joining Dennis Eckersley (1976), Dwight Gooden ('84), Jose Rijo ('86) and Kerry Wood ('98). Recorded four 10-plus-strikeout games, a Club record for a rookie starter in a single season, and became first National League rookie to post four 10-plus-strikeout games since Cole Hamels in 2006. Also, became first Major League pitcher to record consecutive 13-plus-strikeout games (July 28 and August 2) since Randy Johnson in 2004, and first rookie to do so since Kerry Wood in 1998. Additionally, was first pitcher with consecutive games of 13-plus strikeouts and one-or-fewer walks since Curt Schilling in 2002. Held opponents to two runs or less in each of last 11 starts, going 7-1 with a 1.34 ERA (74.0/11) in those outings, with 88 strikeouts to 21 walks (two intentional). On August 26, was named National League Co-Player of the Week for August 19-25, along with Jeff Samardzija. Was 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA (13.0/1) over week and became second Marlin ever to win Player of the Week twice in one season, joining Miguel Cabrera (2007).
2012
Started 2012 season at Single-A Greensboro, making 14 starts with 'Hoppers with a 7-0 record and 1.59 ERA (79.0 IP/14 ER). Promoted to Single-A Jupiter and went on to go 7-0 with a 1.96 ERA (55.0/12) in 11 starts. Led all Marlins' Minor Leaguers in wins and strikeouts (158) and ranked second among all Single-A pitchers in wins, third in average against (.191) and fifth in strikeouts. Earned South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week honors for April 23-29, allowing just one run in 11.1 innings with a 2-0 record and 0.79 ERA. Also, took home SAL Pitcher of the Week honors for May 21-27, tossing 7.0 scoreless innings while striking out 15 and walking just one. Rated as Marlins' top prospect by Baseball America heading into 2013.
