José Fernández Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Children, Age, Siblings, Instagram, Parents, Pictures, Career

José Delfín Fernández Gómez, commonly known as José Fernández, was a Cuban-born American professional baseball pitcher who played four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).

A right-handed pitcher, Fernández defected to the United States at 15 after three attempts, eventually beginning his baseball career in Tampa, Florida.

He was selected by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in 2013.

That same year, he earned the National League Rookie of the Year Award and was selected for two MLB All-Star Games.

Profile

• Full Name: José Delfín Fernández Gómez
• Stage Name: José Fernández
• Born: July 31, 1992,
• Died: September 25 2016
• Age: 24 years old
• Birthplace: Santa Clara, Cuba
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American professional baseball pitcher
• Height: 1.91 m
• Parent: Maritza Gómez
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Alejandra Baleato Marichal (m. 2012–2014)
• Partner: Maria Arias
• Children: Penelope Jo Fernández
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $2.5 million and $3 million.

Early Life And Education

José Delfín Fernández Gómez was born on July 31, 1992, in Santa Clara, Cuba.

His mother, Maritza Gómez, played a central role in his upbringing after his father left the family shortly after his birth.

He was also raised by his grandmother, Olga, and had a stepfather, Ramón Jiménez. Fernández had a sister, though her name is not widely documented.

After defecting to the United States, Fernández settled in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Braulio Alonso High School. He became a key player on the school’s baseball team, contributing to their state championships.

Initially, he was ruled ineligible for his senior year due to his prior high school experience in Cuba, but he successfully appealed the decision and was allowed to play. Fernández was of Cuban ethnicity, and his religious beliefs were not publicly known.

Career

José Fernández’s journey to professional baseball began with his courageous defection from Cuba to the United States at age 15 after three failed attempts.

He settled in Tampa, Florida, where he pursued his passion for baseball. Fernández attended Braulio Alonso High School, where his exceptional talent quickly garnered attention from college scouts and Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, setting the stage for his future career.

In 2011, the Florida Marlins selected Fernández as the 14th overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft, awarding him a $2 million signing bonus.

He began his professional career in the minor leagues, appearing for the Gulf Coast Marlins and Jamestown Jammers before joining the Greensboro Grasshoppers in 2012.

His impressive performance that season, including a combined no-hitter and a 14–1 record with a 1.75 ERA, led to a promotion to the Jupiter Hammerheads. His minor dominance positioned him as one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball.

Fernández made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins on April 7, 2013, delivering a stellar rookie season that earned him a spot on the National League All-Star Team and the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Despite facing setbacks, including Tommy John surgery in 2014, he returned more potent, setting a major league record for consecutive home wins 2015. In 2016, he recorded a career-high 16 wins, a 2.86 ERA, and a Marlins-record 253 strikeouts.

However, his rising career was tragically cut short when he passed away in a boating accident off Miami Beach on September 25, 2016, at the age of 24. Though his time in baseball was brief, Fernández left an indelible legacy, remembered for his passion, talent, and impact on the game.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @josefernandez0016

Personal Life

José Fernández was in a relationship with Maria Arias, with whom he had a daughter, Penelope Jo Fernández, born on February 24, 2017, several months after his passing.

Before his relationship with Arias, he married Alejandra Baleato Marichal from 2012 until around 2014.

Fernández tragically lost his life in a boating accident on September 25, 2016, at the age of 24. He was piloting a 32-foot boat, Kaught Looking, when it struck a jetty off Miami Beach, Florida, at approximately 65 mph. The crash resulted in the deaths of Fernández and his two passengers, Eduardo Rivero and Emilio Jesus Macias.

Net Worth

José Fernández’s net worth at the time of his passing was estimated to be between $2.5 million and $3 million.

His primary source of income was his salary from the Miami Marlins, from which he earned approximately $651,000 in his final years.

Fernández accumulated total earnings of around $6.5 million throughout his career, including his signing bonus and contract salaries.

His financial success reflected his rising prominence in Major League Baseball before his passing.