Ryan Fernandez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #30 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Fernandez had no college offers out of high school and ended up at Hillsborough (Fla.) JC on a recommendation from his high school coach. Once there, Fernandez transformed his body and jumped from 88 to 96 mph on his fastball. The Red Sox drafted him in the 23rd round with the 700th pick in 2018. Fernandez dealt with injuries toward the end of 2022 and was shut down in late July with right elbow inflammation. Fernandez returned and pitched his way to Triple-A Worcester by mid June. He was left unprotected for the 2023 Rule 5 draft and was selected by the Cardinals.
  
  Scouting Report: While Fernandez’s upper-90s fastball lights up radar guns, it’s his unusual feel for spin that makes him successful. He mixes three pitches in a fastball, slider and cutter after scrapping a curveball in 2022. His fastball sits 95-96 mph and touches 97-98 with generic movement and release traits and doesn’t miss many bats. Fernandez’s low-90s cutter is his bread and butter, and he shows tremendous feel for the pitch by locating in the zone consistently and getting chases with it when he needs them. His tight gyro slider is thrown at 87-88 mph with high spin rates. Fernandez shows average feel for the entirety of his arsenal.
  
  The Future: Fernandez is a middle relief candidate for the Cardinals in 2024. As a Rule 5 pick, he will have to stick on the active MLB roster to remain with the organization.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 50