Baseball: RHP Jose Fernandez a Marlin

Posted Aug 16, 2011 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Aug 16, 2011 at 12:45 AM

It’s official.

With little time to spare, former Alonso High ace Jose Fernandez signed a contract offer by the Florida Marlins, who selected Fernandez No. 14 overall in the MLB draft in June, adviser Rich Arena confirmed late Monday night.

The contract includes a $2 million bonus.

Fernandez and his representatives, which includes father Ramon Jimenez and advisor Rich Arena, have been negotiating terms of the deal since the draft. According reports, Fernandez asked for upwards of $4 million for a signing bonus, although his draft position was slotted for $1.6 million, a figure recommended by Major League Baseball.

Fernandez was drafted No. 14 overall on June 6 during the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft after leading his Ravens baseball team to its second state title in three years.

As a senior, Fernandez went 13-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 134 strikeouts. In three years at Alonso, Fernandez is 30-3, having struck out 314 batters. His body of work earned him a baseball scholarship to the University of South Florida, which he signed in April.

Fernandez was also selected as the Class 6A Baseball Player of the year and was named Florida’s Mr. Baseball.