D-backs Prospect Joins Chase DeLauter As 2026 Rookies With Multi-Homer Debuts

It's already happened twice this year

Jun 7, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A general view of an Arizona Diamondbacks hat, glove, and bats in the dugout during the fifth inning of the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-Imagn Images | Scott Taetsch-Imagn Images

When Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter launched two home runs in his regular-season debut on Opening Day, many baseball fans probably didn't expect to see another prospect do that again this year, let alone in the same month. But that's exactly what Arizona Diamondbacks infielder José Fernández did in his major league debut.

Fernández, MLB Pipeline's No. 27 prospect for the Diamondbacks in 2026, crushed two homers in Arizona's thrilling 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. The 22-year-old went 3-for-4 in his major league debut with four RBIs, three of which came on his go-ahead blast in the eighth inning off four-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. With runners on second and third and two outs, the righty-swinging infielder turned on a 1-1 cutter from the future Hall of Fame candidate and smoked it 409 feet to left-center field, giving the Diamondbacks a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Even the rookie's first career home run was hit against a somewhat notable name in Casey Mize, who was the first-overall draft pick in 2018. With the Tigers up 5-0 in the fourth inning, Fernández drove a 1-0 slider from the Detroit right-hander 408 feet to left field for a solo shot, which scored Arizona's first run of the game and started the comeback effort.

Jose Fernández might not be the only propsect to impact the D-backs in 2026

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jose Fernandez (11) hits a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Fernández added his name to an exclusive list with his historic performance in his first big league game. The 22-year-old is the eighth player in MLB history to hit two home runs in his regular-season debut, according to MLB Pipeline. The most recent person to do this before Fernández was DeLauter, who accomplished the feat a few days earlier on Opening Day in his first regular-season game in the majors after making his big league debut in the playoffs last year.

Fernández's clutch performance likely has Arizona fans even more excited about another major league debut that could be coming at some point this year. The Diamondbacks' No. 1 prospect, outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt, started the season at Triple-A and has three extra-base hits and six RBIs in his first four games at that level. The young prospect could give Arizona fans another debut to look forward to later this year if he carries his early-season momentum into the rest of the Triple-A campaign.