Miami pays tribute to Jose Fernandez on Marlins Park mound

As the news of the tragic passing of 24-year-old Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez continues to send shockwaves throughout the sports world, the team is already paying tribute to their young star.

Clark Spencer, a beat writer for the Marlins for the Miami Herald, posted a picture to his Twitter account on Sunday morning that shows Fernandez’s number 16 spray-painted on the mound at Marlins Park, along with his hat.

Fernandez, along with two other men whose names are being withheld until their families can be notified, was found dead early Sunday morning after the Coast Guard discovered their 32-foot boat turned upside down on the north end of rocky terrain at the entrance of Miami Harbor.

After three unsuccessful attempts to defect from Cuba, Jose Fernandez finally found his way to the United States in 2007, and was selected by the then-Florida Marlins in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.

Fernandez would take home National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 and was widely considered to be one of the best young pitchers in all of baseball. He compiled a career record of 38 wins and 17 losses to go along with a 2.58 ERA. Fernandez is also the first pitcher in the modern era to win his first 17 decisions at home and won 24 of his first 25 at Marlins Park, which makes this tribute all that more special in the wake of this tragic event.

Our thoughts at FanSided are certainly with the family and friends of Jose Fernandez.