Julian Fernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #20 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Fernandez took a long, circuitous route to his major league debut in 2021. He originally signed with the Rockies in 2012 and was selected by the Giants in the 2017 Rule 5 draft. He missed the 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery and was claimed off waivers after the season by the Marlins. He never pitched for them due to injury and re-signed with Rockies following the 2019 season. Fernandez finally got on the mound for the first time in four years in 2021. He began at Double-A and worked his way up to Triple-A, where he posted a 0.64 ERA in 14 appearances to earn a September callup.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez touched 105 mph before surgery and is back bringing the heat. In his MLB debut Sept. 5, he threw the fastest Rockies pitch in the Statcast era at 102.4 mph. When Fernandez commands his fastball, he is nearly unhittable. But that command hasn’t been nearly as consistent as he needs. He’s been a bit over-reliant on his power fastball to get him through the minors, meaning his slider and changeup aren’t as sharp as they need to be. His slider needs more depth and his changeup needs to be thrown with more consistency and confidence, especially early in the count.
  
  The Future: Fernandez will be a part of the Rockies’ bullpen plans in 2022. It will likely be another growth year as he continues to hone his offspeed pitches and overall command.
  

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Fernandez took a long, circuitous route to his major league debut in 2021. He originally signed with the Rockies in 2012 and was selected by the Giants in the 2017 Rule 5 draft. He missed the 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery and was claimed off waivers after the season by the Marlins. He never pitched for them due to injury and re-signed with Rockies following the 2019 season. Fernandez finally got on the mound for the first time in four years in 2021. He began at Double-A and worked his way up to Triple-A, where he posted a 0.64 ERA in 14 appearances to earn a September callup.
  
  Scouting Report: Fernandez touched 105 mph before surgery and is back bringing the heat. In his MLB debut Sept. 5, he threw the fastest Rockies pitch in the Statcast era at 102.4 mph. When Fernandez commands his fastball, he is nearly unhittable. But that command hasn’t been nearly as consistent as he needs. He’s been a bit over-reliant on his power fastball to get him through the minors, meaning his slider and changeup aren’t as sharp as they need to be. His slider needs more depth and his changeup needs to be thrown with more consistency and confidence, especially early in the count.
  
  The Future: Fernandez will be a part of the Rockies’ bullpen plans in 2022. It will likely be another growth year as he continues to hone his offspeed pitches and overall command.