Boras set to watch client "Joe Fez" face the Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Super agent Scott Boras will watch one of his newest clients -- Marlins starter Jose Fernandez (or Joe Fez as Boras calls him)-- pitch in a major league game in person for the first time tonight.

Boras, who inked the Marlins' top prospect at the beginning of spring training and visited him in Jupiter, said he took Fernandez out to dinner Thursday night and said the 20-year old right-hander was "very relaxed."

"It's going to be quite a career, quite a ride," said Boras, whose last top-shelf client to play for the Marlins was catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who was with the Marlins for just one season — 2003 — before leaving via free agency.

"The numbers -- I've got a list [of the pitchers to reach the majors at 20] -- [Dwight] Gooden, [Steve] Avery, [Fernando] Valenzuela, all these guys that were very special pitchers. He's off to a better start."

Boras said owner Jeffrey Loria called him personally before the season to inform him the Marlins were calling up Fernandez to start the season in the big leagues. Boras said he had no problem with it because keeping him in the minors might have stunted his development.

"Placing him at the major league level it's challenging him to pitch with three pitches and create a more dynamic perspective," Boras said. "He doesn't have the typical soul of a 20-year old."

Boras said he likes the fact the Marlins are keeping Fernandez on a limited innings count.

"The numbers are not good," Boras said. "If you're pitching a lot of innings prior to being 24 you're chances of pitching past 30 are not good. Whether he pitches 150, 160 here or the minor leagues, it doesn't matter."

Asked if he thinks the Marlins will have to change their no-trade policy to sign free agency in the future, Boras said: "I think the no trade policy does affect franchise players. But the number of franchise players in free agency are pretty rare.

"The Marlins in my mind you've got a number of players who like the geographical dynamic of what Miami offers. You've got a footprint now. It's not a wish and a hope."