The late Jose Fernandez has been named as a finalist for the 2016 National League Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The former ace of the Miami Marlins enjoyed a tremendous season before his tragic passing earlier this week. Fernandez missed action during the 2014 and 2015 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and this made him eligible for the honor.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award is part of the Players Choice Awards and votes come from the players only. Fernandez's peers will decide if he will be named the winner of this prestigious award and he faces some tough competition.
Also named as finalists for the award are Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jean Segura of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hill nearly threw a perfect game against the Marlins this season and has been of the game's best pitchers in 2016. Segura has eclipsed 200 hits after never reaching that number earlier in his career.
This may not be the only award Fernandez ends up with a chance to win. With his strong strikeout numbers, the right-hander could get some votes for Cy Young as well. It is unlikely that Fernandez will win the biggest pitching honor in the game as several other players had more robust seasons.
The winners of the MLB Players Choice Awards will be announced on November 9th.
