clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez killed in boating accident

Sources confirmed Sunday morning that Marlins ace right-hander Jose Fernandez has been killed in a boating accident.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sickening news came forward early Sunday morning from Ken Rosenthal and beat writer Clark Spencer that Miami's young flamethrower Jose Fernandez has been killed in a boating accident. Most of the details are still surfacing but the Marlins' organization did release a statement via Twitter stating:

"The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by this tragic loss of Jose Fernandez. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time."

The team also announced that Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves has been cancelled.

Fernandez was a two-time All-Star, including this season. He had a 38-17 career record with a 2.58 ERA, and, according to Baseball Reference, had the highest FIP of any starting pitcher in the Live-Ball era.

The right-hander defected from Cuba in 2008 and first appeared in the big leagues with the Marlins in 2013 where he won the NL Rookie of the Year and finished third in Cy Young Award voting.

He was supposed to start against the Mets on Monday and was 3-0 this season against New York with a 1.08 ERA. Even better, the Cuban native held a career record of 29-2 and a 1.42 ERA in 42 career starts at Marlins Park.

Many believed Fernandez to be on the fast track as one of the greatest pitchers baseball has ever seen.

He was only 24 years old.