Fernandez Selected During 2025 Major League Baseball Draft

Hanceville, Ala. — The Wallace State baseball program saw its 2024-25 star pitcher selected in the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, which concluded on July 14. The Cleveland Guardians drafted Luke Fernandez with pick number 492 in the 16th round.

Fernandez heads to the Cleveland Guardians organization after playing two seasons at Wallace State. The Cummings, GA native appeared in 28 games for the Lions, starting 26 of them. He finished with a 10-6 record overall, 8-2 during the 2025 season. He struck out 227 batters in 165.2 innings, including 127 batters this past season. He finished 2025 with a 1.34 ERA with six complete games.

Before the draft, Fernandez was named the 2025 NJCAA Division I Baseball Pitcher of the Year.

"Luke Fernandez is the most complete pitcher I've ever coached. In my opinion, he's the most dominant pitcher the Alabama JUCO system has ever had. ," Wallace State head baseball coach Randy Putman said.

Fernandez was a two-time ACCC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-Conference Member. He was named to the 2025 NJCAA D1 Baseball First-Team All-American after finishing as the nation's leader in ERA (1.34) and strikeouts per game (14.17).

He has committed to play for Purdue University in the Big 10 Conference.