Fernandez’s Future Has Many Possibilities

His chances of making the team hinge on so many outside factors: Will the Angels carry 11 or 12 pitchers? Will they carry four or five outfielders? Will Scott Spiezio win the first base job, opening a utility spot? Will designated hitter Jose Canseco be sound enough to play?

But Jose Fernandez, a former Montreal prospect who can play third base and first, is doing everything in his power to muscle his way into the picture.

Fernandez is a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder who has shown power from the right side, batting .419 with three home runs and five runs batted in this spring.

The 26-year-old hit a 430-foot homer off right-hander Kip Wells and singled twice against left-hander David Wells in the Angels’ 7-5 exhibition victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday in Tucson Electric Park.

With Shawn Wooten out because of a knee injury, Fernandez has emerged as a leading candidate for a bench spot. But there are so many different roster scenarios, it’s almost impossible at this point to determine where Fernandez could fit.

“If he keeps hitting left-handed pitching, he’s someone we’re going to have to take a long look at,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He has tremendous power, and one thing we’re looking for at first base [if left-handed hitting Wally Joyner or Larry Barnes wins the job] is a big right-handed bat.”

Fernandez, who has played eight professional seasons but only eight games in the major leagues, tries not to dwell on everything that must happen for him to make the team.

“It’s definitely out of my control,” he said. “I can’t worry about it. Any role in the big leagues would be great by me.”

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Barnes hit his team-leading fourth home run of the spring, a two-run shot to right off Matt DeWitt that erased a 4-3 deficit and gave the Angels a 5-4 lead in the top of the eighth. Barnes then won the game with a two-run double to right in the top of the 10th.

The competition for the first-base job has brought out the best in Barnes, who is batting .326 (14 for 43) with nine RBIs. But Joyner is batting .382 (13 for 34) with a homer and six RBIs, and Spiezio, though batting only .263, is a proven power hitter.

“These guys are getting after it, and that’s the way you want it,” Scioscia said. “You don’t want easy decisions. It’s going to come down to what the best fit for the club is.”

If it’s experience and on-base percentage the Angels want, Joyner will be the starter. If it’s power, Spiezio will be the guy. Barnes, however, is an excellent fielder who is showing he has some pop.

“He can drive the ball,” Scioscia said. “He’s definitely stepping up.”

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Pitcher Ismael Valdes survived a major scare Sunday, lifting his glove to his face in time to snag Josh Paul’s wicked line drive in the fourth inning.

“Oh my God, that was a good catch,” said Valdes, who gave up three runs on nine hits in four innings. “It’s a good sign that I’m like a cat. That was a big-time line drive. I’m glad I’m still alive.”

Valdes, who has an 8.38 earned-run average in 9 2/3 spring innings, was hit hard at times Sunday, but he was encouraged by the fact he did not walk a batter and threw 80 pitches. The right-hander has one walk and 10 strikeouts in three appearances.

“I’m having a lot of success keeping the ball down and controlling all four of my pitches,” Valdes said. “As long as I don’t give a lot of free passes, I’ll be OK.”