Jose Fernandez Named Opening Day Starter

Feb 28, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) warms up in the bullpen before a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, it took until the last moment before the season started for Jose Fernandez to learn he had made the Miami Marlins major league roster. This season, it took just three Grapefruit League games before manager Mike Redmond named him the Opening Day Starter for the Marlins. The Marlins open their 2014 season at home on March 31st, against the Colorado Rockies

The announcement was more of a formality and is not going to shock anyone, as Fernandez earned the role with a dominant rookie season in 2013.

"“This was going to happen, obviously, anyways,” Redmond said before the Marlins faced the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. “But I know he’s excited about it. When you think about how far he’s come in the last year, going from maybe slated to going to Double A to pitching in the big leagues, and winning Rookie of the Year, that’s an amazing year. And it just keeps going. Opening Day starter…it’s a day he’ll remember for the rest of his life.”"

At 21-years old, Jose Fernandez will overthrow the then 22-year old Josh Beckett as the youngest Marlin in franchise history to start on Opening Day.