Alex Fernandez

Fernandez was drafted 24th overall in the 1988 draft to the Milwaukee Brewers, but the two sides could not reach a deal after the team refused to go higher than a $150,000 signing bonus. In 1989, Fernandez of the University of Miami, was named Baseball America’s Freshman of the Year after going 15-2, 2.01 with 177 strikeouts in 148 innings. Then Ben McDonald signed a record $350,000 bonus with the Baltimore Orioles as the top pick in the 1989 draft. Lo and behold, Fernandez did another about-face and transferred to Miami-Dade Community College South to become eligible for selection in 1990. By transferring to a community college, Fernandez immediately shot to the top of the list of college prospects eligible for selection in June. His strengths include a hard fastball, a four-pitch arsenal, excellent control and determination. Plus, he won’t need much seasoning in the minor leagues. On the downside, there’s the signability question, and the fact he’s only 5-foot-11 with a history of packing on weight. Despite success stories like Tom Gordon and Kiki Jones, righthanders under 6 feet tall never will be in vogue. And though Fernandez went 7-2, 1.32 in his first 10 starts for Miami-Dade, scouts say he’s not overpowering junior college hitters. In general, the college talent isn’t as strong as it was in 1989, or as good as the high school crop this year. The first three or four picks could be high school kids, though the Chicago White Sox, drafting fourth, are known to have a strong interest in Fernandez. They think he can help them in a hurry.