The St. Louis Cardinals added infielder José Fermín to their Opening Day roster. Fermín will serve as a utility bench player, offering contact hitting and defensive versatility in the infield.
“Sources confirm that José Fermín has been added to the #STLCards Opening Day roster. He’ll play as a backup utility player/contact batter off the bench. The Cardinals expect to complete their 26-man roster before breaking camp on Sunday.” via Katie Woo on X (previously Twitter).
Fermín’s inclusion may surprise some, given his mediocre major league numbers to date. In 66 career MLB games spanning the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the 25-year-old has a.189 batting average,.504 OPS, and a -1 WAR. However, the Cardinals are definitely relying on his scorching spring and outstanding bat-to-ball abilities to provide depth behind starters Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Masyn Winn.
Fermín had a.282 batting average and.843 OPS in 17 Grapefruit League games, with a home run, five doubles, and nine RBIs. His emergence as a potential bench option provided him an advantage over fellow infielder José Barrero, who was also competing for a reserve position.
The Cardinals are close to finalizing their lineup for Opening Day. Manager Oliver Marmol emphasizes the significance of players who can regularly make contact, something Fermín brings to the table. “You have a guy that just doesn’t swing and miss, and that’s his superpower — he finds a way to get the bat on the ball,” Marmol told reporters. “There’s a lot of value in not swinging and missing, and he’s taken advantage of his opportunities.”
Fermín’s skill to regulate the strike zone may have originated throughout his boyhood. Growing up in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, his father would throw corn kernels for him to strike with a sawed-off broomstick. Fermín’s offensive game now relies on top contact abilities, which were developed through a daily hand-eye coordination workout.
“I was 7 years old when we started, and we’d do it every day,” Fermín added. “It was just a way to get in practice and it was a routine that worked for me.”
Fermín’s unusual story and recent accomplishments make him a standout bench player on the Cardinals club. His positional versatility—he can play second, third, shortstop, and even outfield—provides Marmol with additional options, particularly in late-game scenarios.
Fermín’s addition to the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster reflects a belief in his potential, versatility, and exceptional contact abilities, which are becoming increasingly rare in today’s game. Fermín considers making the roster not only a personal achievement, but also the culmination of a journey that began with a broomstick and some maize.
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