Jose Fernandez takes the Texas League by Storm

Jose Fernandez has been the biggest suprise in Bomb City so far this season. The 21 year old has taken massive leaps from where he was just a year ago in High-A Hillsboro. The right handed hitter who has typically started slow in his young professional career, actually led the Texas League in AVG (among players still in the league, Peyton Wilson was promoted to Triple-A Omaha before the end of the month) at the end of April at .350.

Fernandez is the 2nd youngest qualified hitter in the Texas League, only older than the Texas Rangers #1 Prospect Sebastian Walcott. The Sod Poodles utility man is one of only 10 players ages 21 or younger to register an at bat in the league this season, leaving him surrounded by the company of top prospects like: Sebastian Walcott (Rangers #1 Prospect – #16 Overall), Carter Jensen (Royals #3 Prospect – #88 Overall), Leo Bernal (Cardinals #6 Prospect), Henry Bolte (Athletics #8 Prospect). Padres #2 Prospect (#29 Overall) Ethan Salas (19 years old) and Twins #1 (#6 Overall) Walker Jenkins (20 years old) have been in the league the entire season but have been sidelined for the most of the year due to injuries. Fernandez is the only player amongst that group to not be a Top 10 prospect in his team’s system, and the right hander didn’t even crack the Top 30 for the Diamondbacks at the beginning of the season. 

“There is so much to love with Jose and his game. He is a tall, athletic shortstop with great actions in the field and an arm that can play the hot corner as well.” The voice of the Sod Poodles Zach Goodman said. “At the plate, he doesn’t swing and miss too often and has the ability to produce exit velocities near 110 mph. At just 21 years old, he still has plenty of time to improve upon a very toolsy skill set.” The 6’3 shortstop has used those tools to look great to start his 2025 campaign, punishing left handed pitching from the right side of the plate slashing .429/.489/.667./1.156 against southpaws. The Amarillo infielder has also been a run producing machine when given the oppertunity with a .500/.550/.618/1.168 slash with RISP, driving in 22 runs in 31 games, while only batting higher than fifth in the order just three times this season. Even at Hodgetown the power seems to be the next step in his game (1 Home Run and it was in Midland), along with boosting his walk rate which has gone up incrementally this season (+1.3% fron last year to 5.6%).

Fernandez has taken strides this year but what exactly is the difference from previous years? “The focus and the work that I have been putting in every single day.” Fernandez said and his hitting coach Ty Wright thinks there’s something else as well. “Confidence. 
He’s a young kid feeling his way through the Minor Leagues, just trying to gain traction and as his body has grown, his confidence has grown and it’s really shown this year so far.” Wright coached the Sod Poodles infielder the last two years in Visalia and with now Sod Poodles manager Javier Colina in Hillsboro last year. “He’s going to be challenged at this level. From game planning to execution in the box, understanding himself, understanding 
when to catch himself after things go a little bad. Having a plan for that, to get out ahead of it and staying where he wants to go. It’s more of a mental edge for me than it is anything physical. That mental grind from April to September at a tough level.“

Fernandez has seen some of that grind lately struggling to start May but he’s still hitting the ball hard. He currently sits at a .304/.347/.417/.764 and a .382 BAPIP on the year, but he still finds himself tied for the team lead in doubles with the blazing hot Kristian Robinson, and remains tied for the team lead in average with Tommy Troy (.304) who has been impressed by Fernandez’ season after spending the year in Hillsboro together last year. “He’s legit. For me, he’s a sure fire big leaguer. Just an unbelievable talent. And watching him grow from last year to this year with his approach and how he works has just been phenomenal.”

Sod Poodles skipper Javier Colina, and fellow Venzuealen like Fernandez, echoed Wright’s sentiment about the infielder’s demeanor in 2025. “He’s impressive. 
He’s so fun to watch because he’s a big boy who’s only 21 years old and it’s so fun to see him competing at this level because his confidence levels are high. He’s become more mature. I would say that one of the things that helps him all the way around was that he was an everyday shortstop in the Venezuelan Winter League. 
When you play in the Winter League in South America you’re playing with a lot of big leaguers, and a lot of guys that have been in the game for a long time. It translated when he got here, and it made the job easier for him. He’s good, man, and he’s talented.“

Fernandez didn’t just play in the Venzuelen Winter League, he lead his team in hits (53), doubles (14), and triples (2) while hitting .304 as a 21 year old amongst some aforementioned former and current big leaguers. Those number were good enough for a third place finish in the league Rookie of the Year voting behind current big leaguers Luisangel Acuña and Luis Matos.

Fernandez brings versatility to the table as well for Arizona. The infielder has spent most of his time at shortstop this year, but has also played third and a little first base throughout the season. “I’ve grown comfortable at any position. I can play anywhere in the infield, but the one that I feel am the most comfortable at is shortstop because that’s where I started playing.” Fernandez isn’t the only one who wants him to play short either. “I would say he can play both. Sometimes he looks a little more comfortable at third base, but we challenge him a lot, because I want him to play shortstop. The organization, for sure, wants him to play shortstop too.” 
Colina said of Fernandez in the field. “Again we go game by game, year by year. In Double-A this year, they want him to take extra reps at shortstop then third base. At this point he’s in a good spot and we want him to play more shortstop.”

His flexibility has been a luxary for Amarillo this year and is a plus for Arizona when you pair that with his hitting.

The Sod Poodles are back in action tonight against the Springfield Cardinals tonight.