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Top Jose Fernandez Moments In His MLB Career

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The Miami Marlins have two of the best young players in the entire league in slugger Giancarlo Stanton and pitcher Jose Fernandez.

Stanton was having a big year before going on the disabled list after breaking a bone in his hand. Fernandez has just returned from Tommy John Surgery and is ready to remind everyone in baseball just how good he is.

On Thursday Fernandez will make his second start of the season, looking to continue his dominance at Marlins Park.  He is one of only five pitchers since 1914 to win their first 13 decisions at home.

The 22-year-old's talents aren't exclusive to the pitcher's mound though, as he also has some pop at the plate and has hit multiple home runs during his brief but impressive MLB career.  Here are some of the top Fernandez moments from the past few years.

First Career Home Run

Making the last start of his rookie season, the impressive Fernandez got ahold of a Mike Minor fastball and sent it over the fence into The Clevelander at Marlins Park.  The then-21-year-old flipped his bat and took a moment to admire the towering shot before starting his trot around the bases.  When he reached home plate, then-Braves catcher Brian McCann had some choice words for Fernandez, prompting both benches to clear.  Fernandez later apologized to both McCann and Minor, saying that his emotions got the best of him and that things like that should not happen in the major leagues.

Jose Fernandez hits first home run, benches clear by MLB on YouTube

 

Fernandez's Grandmother Sees Him Pitch For First Time In Years

It was Opening Day of the 2014 season and Fernandez was on the mound for the Marlins.  As if being Miami's Opening Day starter in front of their home fans wasn't enough, Fernandez had an even bigger reason to be excited.  His grandmother, Olga Fernandez, was in the stands watching him pitch for the first time since he was 15 in Cuba.  The past November she was given a five-year visitation visa to leave Cuba and has been with him ever since.

 

First Throwing Sessions After Tommy John Surgery

Fernandez was having just an impressive of a sophomore season as he did as a rookie, but the year was cut short when he had Tommy John Surgery in May of 2014.  The road to recovery was long and winding but eventually, the time came to start throwing again.

Marlins video: Jose Fernandez throwing session (Oct. 3, 2014) by Juan C. Rodriguez on YouTube

 

First Start Back After Tommy John Surgery

The rehab process was nine long months, perhaps the longest of Jose's life, but after a few starts in the minors he was finally ready to take the mound in Marlins Park.  After a rough first inning, Fernandez settled down and began looking like his usual self. His fastball hit 99 miles per hour and his breaking pitches had batters swinging at nothing but air.  He also help his own cause, hitting a home run that electrified the fans in attendance.

#THIS: Jose Fernandez returns to the Marlins by MLB on YouTube

 

Follow David on Twitter (@DavidDwork

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