The St. Louis Cardinals have finalized an important decision ahead of Opening Day, choosing to include infielder José Fermín on their 26-man roster. Fermín will fill a utility role off the bench, offering contact hitting and defensive flexibility across the infield.
“José Fermín has made the #STLCards Opening Day roster, per sources,” reported Katie Woo on X (formerly Twitter). “He’ll serve as the back-up utility role/a contact bat off the bench. The Cardinals hope to finalize their 26-man roster before they break camp on Sunday.”
Fermín’s addition might raise eyebrows, considering his limited production at the big-league level so far. Over 66 MLB games between 2023 and 2024, the 25-year-old has slashed just .189 with a .504 OPS and posted a negative WAR.
Still, the Cardinals are banking on his strong spring performance and excellent bat-to-ball skills to provide quality depth behind regulars Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Masyn Winn.
This spring, Fermín has turned heads at the plate, hitting .282 with an .843 OPS, including a home run, five doubles, and nine RBIs across 17 Grapefruit League games. His breakout showing earned him the edge over fellow infielder José Barrero, who was also competing for a bench spot.
The Cardinals are close to finalizing their roster ahead of Opening Day
Manager Oliver Marmol has consistently stressed the value of players who can make contact, and José Fermín fits that mold perfectly.
“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 said. “There’s a lot of value in not swinging and missing, and he’s taken advantage of his opportunities.”
That elite hand-eye coordination may have its roots in Fermín’s childhood. Growing up in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, he honed his bat control with an unusual training routine: his father would toss corn kernels, and young José would hit them with a sawed-off broomstick. It became a daily ritual that helped shape the hitter he is today.
“I was seven years old when we started, and we’d do it every day,” Fermín said. “It was just a way to get in practice, and it was a routine that worked for me.”
Now, that early dedication is paying off. Fermín’s contact skills and defensive versatility — he can cover second base, third, shortstop, and even some outfield — make him a valuable bench option for Marmol, particularly in late-game situations.
With the Cardinals set to finalize their 26-man roster before breaking camp on Sunday, Fermín’s inclusion is a bet on his upside, adaptability, and a skill set that’s become increasingly rare in today’s game: elite contact ability. For Fermín, making the Opening Day roster is not just a career milestone — it’s the latest chapter in a journey that began with a broomstick and a handful of corn kernels.
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