2011 MLB Draft Results: Florida Marlins Take Flamethrower Jose Fernandez at 14

Continuing their string of first-round draft picks from high school, the Florida Marlins drafted Braulio Alonso (HS) right-handed pitcher Jose Fernandez at No. 14. 

No surprise here—the Marlins organization loves pitchers that are from high school and if they are hard-throwers, that is a bonus. 

This might be a steal for the Marlins considering his ability to light up the radar gun. Fernandez throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, which can notch 96-98 MPH in early innings but usually hovers around, a still fast, 93-95 MPH.

Along with his two-headed strike pitch, Fernandez has a nasty slider, that could be his primary out pitch, and a work-in-progress changeup. 

Fernandez has a feel good story about him: As a Cuban defector, he tried to escape Cuba for the United States, but was caught and returned twice before successfully making it on his fourth try via Mexico back in 2009.

"I would have tried 10 times, if that is what it would have taken," Fernandez said.

Fernandez ended up in Tampa, where he began his ascent as a high school pitcher but not before facing more trouble. The FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) declared him ineligible earlier this year because of house arrest issue dating back to his first attempted defection from the island. But that decision was later reversed and Fernandez continued to pitch, improving his stock further.

As for Fernandez's timetable to the big leagues, taking into consideration his fight to get to America and to the big leagues, Fernandez could be up by 2013 at the earliest, but more likely slated for 2014.

By that time, current ace Josh Johnson might not be a Marlin. The team may decide to not retain him if he commands big money or trade him, paving the way for Fernandez to be at the top of the rotation. 

While it's too early to tell, I would dare to say Fernandez has the potential to be a right-handed version of Johan Santana if he develops his changeup effectively.