By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Detroit Tigers prospect Chavez Fernander received another major promotion on the path of his young Major League Baseball career.

Fernander was named to the roster of the Salt River Rafters and became the latest Bahamian prospect to earn a spot in the Arizona Fall League.

The AFL attracts many of the top prospects in the minor leagues. Late in the minor league seasons, MLB clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will participate in the AFL. Most are Double-A and Triple-A players. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game.

Several Bahamians have advanced to the AFL in recent history including Champ Stuart in 2016, Anfernee Seymour in 2017, Jazz Chisholm Jr and Lucius Fox in 2018.

Fernaner, a 23-year-old 6’3” right handed pitcher, completed his 2021 season with the Eerie Seawolves of the AA Northeast League.

In his brief time with the Seawolves, Fernander appeared in 22 games with one start. He went 1-1 in three starts with a 3.60 ERA and three saves in three opportunities. In 40 innings he had 38 strikeouts.

The Seawolves were formerly of the Eastern League and the New York Penn League before the MLB restructured the minor league system for the 2021 season.

Fernander began the season with the Tigers’ High A-affiliate, the West Michigan Whitecaps. In 11 appearances with two starts, he posted an 1-1 win-loss record with 18 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.86 in 18.2 innings.

He got his lone win on May 15 when he pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in a 2-1 win over the Great Lakes Loons.

In 2019, he played with the Connecticut Tigers in the New York-Penn League. In 11 appearances with eight starts, he went 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 35 innings.

In his first professional season, Fernander spent time with the GCL Tigers in the Gulf Coast League before a brief call up to Connecticut. He finished 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA, 41 strikeouts and five saves. His series of standout performances on the mound led the Tigers to the league championship. He recorded nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings in the deciding game.

Fernander was selected by the Detroit Tigers organisation in 2018 – the 35th round with the 1035th overall pick. The 6’3” 205 pound right-handed pitcher was drafted out of Polk Community College after his sophomore season. In 17 appearances with nine starts, Fernander posted an 8-4 win-loss record with 63 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.09 in 58.1 innings.