Miami Marlins History: All-Time Top 10 K/9

2) Jose Fernandez (11.25)

Jose D. Fernandez was the first round choice of the Florida Marlins in 2011, 14th overall off the board. It wasn’t very long before he made his first major league start, on April 7th, 2013. Still just 20-years-old, Fernandez had an infectious love of the game, and every fifth day in Marlins Park was “Jose Day,” accompanied by a crowd sometimes sized double when another pitcher started.

Fernandez started in 28 games as a rookie, and posted a 12-6 record with a 2.19 ERA, 187 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings, and a 0.979 WHIP. He led the National League by surrendering just 5.8 H/9, earning an all-star invitation, winning the NL Rookie of the Year, and finishing third in the NL Cy Young Award vote. This rookie, advanced beyond his or anyone’s years, held opposing major leaguers to a slashline of .182/.257/.265.

Due to a Tommy John surgery and rehab, Fernandez started just 19 times over the next two seasons, going 10-3 with a 2.71 ERA and a 1.066 WHIP. He also collected another 149 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings.

2016 was a special season for Miami Marlins fans. Fernandez went 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA and 253 strikeouts in 182 1/3 innings. Opponents slashed .224/.288/.336 and WHIPped 1.119 against the still just-24 Fernandez. We all know the rest of the story, and will always mourn his loss.

After the season, Fernandez would finish seventh in the NL Cy Young Award vote, despite leading the NL with a 12.5 K/9. And that’s the thing that gets me, every time – Fernandez was STILL GETTING BETTER. In his final start, he struck out 12 Washington Nationals over eight shutout three-hit innings. His post TJS time would see a slight increase in opponents slash numbers, but also an increase in strikeouts.