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The Joplin Globe, Mo.
Fermin says young St. Louis core has ‘unfinished business’
- Story byThe Joplin Globe, Mo.
- Fermin says young St. Louis core has ‘unfinished business’
Jose Fermin has played in 96 games across the last three seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals . The soon-to-be 27-year-old appeared in at least 21 games in each of those seasons dating back to 2023, when he first joined the Cardinals.
Fermin spent 2021 and '22 in the Cleveland Guardians farm club. For three years, he's been a part of a young core in St. Louis that is trying to get over the hump.
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The team's home opener is March 26.
The Cardinals have yet to reach the postseason since the year before Fermin joined the organization.
"That's the goal. Obviously, all the time, we want to win it all. … For us, it's like unfinished business. … We trust the group that we have. We have a good, young group of guys, and I think we can shock a lot of people," Fermin said during a visit to Joplin earlier this year when the Cardinals Caravan came to Missouri Southern State University. "Some people might have us out of it, but we have a lot of talent here."
Fermin has never cracked the opening day roster for the Cardinals, but he has been consistent in being needed and available each of the last three years. His most games played in a season was 45 in 2024. He played in 30 games last year.
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The 5-foot-10 infielder has struggled to a .194 batting average through 14 games played and 36 at-bats. He has seven hits, and one of those was an extra-base hit in the form of a double. He's also drawn four walks and has a .275 on-base percentage.
He has the most at-bats of any Cardinal this spring.
Fermin may not crack the opening day roster in 2026 either, but he's learned that his versatility is what makes him a valuable weapon for St. Louis and manager Oliver Marmol.
He was originally signed as a shortstop. In St. Louis, he's played zero games there. He's appeared in 36 games at second base, 26 at third base and six in the outfield.
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"I've seen the importance of versatility, you know, playing different positions," Fermin said.
In the last three years, he's seen himself improve on defense. Specifically, the recent opportunities in the outfield have helped him to feel more "comfortable out there."
While the Cardinals have parted with veteran talent like Nolan Arenado , Paul Goldschmidt and Willson Contreras , their impact on the ballclub isn't lost on Fermin.
"Asking questions and seeing how they go about their business, we can learn a lot from them," Fermin added.
When at the plate, his growth has come in having a plan when he digs into the batter's box. He's learned how to go in with a specific mindset of how he will attack that particular pitcher or even how that pitcher may try to attack him.
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"Understanding how pitchers think, understanding the importance of an approach at the plate. Coaches do a really good job of making us understand who we are as hitters and how a pitcher may attack us during a game," Fermin said.
He said that studying pitchers' tendencies helps with that approach.
Consistency is a focus for Fermin. He says he needs to be able to play wherever Marmol needs him on the field.
As he continues to fight for a spot in the big leagues, Fermin said he is proud to represent his hometown and country, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
"We breathe baseball in the Dominican Republic. You see kids playing in the streets, playing everywhere. To be able to be here and represent my country, my little town in the DR, it's huge," Fermin said.
"When you talk about a Dominican guy, we're loud in the field, flashy, things like that. You want to bring that energy to the game," he added.
