Scout who signed Fernandez writes heartfelt farewell letter

Scouts often don't get credit for their tedious work searching for the most promising young players. Sometimes, when they do find the next great one, their own team doesn't even listen to their reports.

The Miami Marlins listened to area scout Brian Kraft in 2011 when he saw Jose Fernandez pitch for Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa. It was on his recommendation that they took Fernandez with the 14th pick in the 2011 draft, and Kraft himself signed him to that first professional contract. By 2013, Fernandez was in the majors establishing himself as a star.

When Fernandez was killed in a boating accident Sunday, it hit Kraft - who still had a relationship with the pitcher - particularly hard. On the day of his funeral, Kraft wrote a touching letter to Fernandez that was released through Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Here's an excerpt:

"Your goal was not to be a high pick; that was expected. It wasn't to pitch in the big leagues; that was a matter of time. You were on a mission to become the best with the work ethic, plan and the support in place. I wasn't just impressed that an 18-year-old said that he knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted to get there, or that he truly believed what he was saying. I was wowed that an 18-year-old said these things instantly, making me a believer. The second I left and got in my car, I called my cross checker and stated with certainty that, "We have pick 14." Because you were different.

"I saw you pitch in All-Star Games on TV and in front of the tens of thousands of people, I've also seen you pitch in a high school game on a Saturday morning in front of ten. Regardless of who was there or the level of competition, you always gave those in the stands the same energy, effort and excitement, appealing to every spectrum of the crowd."

Read Kraft's entire letter here.