Rafael Fernandez (baseball)
| Rafael Fernandez | |
|---|---|
Fernandez with the Mets in 2022 | |
| New York Mets – No. 80 | |
| Outfielder / Coach | |
| Born: August 3, 1988 Tenares, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| Teams | |
|
Rafael A. Fernandez Reyes (born August 3, 1988) is a Dominican professional baseball coach serving as the assistant hitting coach for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was the batting practice pitcher for the Mets from 2021 to 2025.
Career
Playing career
Fernandez began his professional playing career in the Mets farm system signed as an undrafted free agent playing for seven years as an outfielder beginning in 2006 with the Dominican Summer League Mets. In 2007 with the Gulf Coast League Mets, 2008 for the Kingsport Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones, 2009 for the Savannah Sand Gnats, 2010 for the Gnats and the St. Lucie Mets in 2011 before being demoted back to the Gnats. In 2012, he was promoted to the Binghamton Mets before being demoted once again to St. Lucie. His playing career ended after spending two winter seasons with the Gigantes del Cibao for the 2012–2013 season and the Estrellas de Oriente for 2013-2014 of the Dominican Winter League.
Coaching career
Fernandez began his coaching career in the Mets minor league system as an outfield coach in May 2015 before being promoted to hitting coach in November 2015. In 2016, he was named the hitting coach for the Dominican Summer League Mets 2.[1]
From 2017 to 2018, he was the hitting coach for the Gulf Coast Mets.[2] In 2019, Fernandez was hired as the hitting coach for the Kingsport Mets.[3] In 2020, he was named the hitting coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones.[4]
In 2021, Fernandez was promoted to the Mets coaching staff as the batting practice pitcher replacing Ender Chávez. A role he maintained until 2025.[5] For the 2026 season, he was promoted to assistant hitting coach.[6]
References
- ^ "Mets Name Rookie Coaching Staffs With Some New Faces". Mets Minors. January 17, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Led by Accardo, Mets Name Rookie Coaching Staffs". Mets Minors. February 17, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Kingsport Mets Announce 2019 Coaching Staff". Our Sports Central. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Brooklyn Cyclones Announce 2020 Coaching Staff". Mets Minors. February 4, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "This unsung hero of Mets' coaching staff is 'a huge asset'". MLB.com. February 27, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ "Mets Announce 2026 Coaching Staff". Metsmerized Online. November 19, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB · Baseball Reference (Minors)