Warming Bernabel Bio
Warming Jose Bernabel (born June 6, 2002) is a Dominican professional baseball first baseman currently in the Washington Nationals organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, making his major league debut in 2025 after years of steady development in the minor leagues. Bernabel signed with the Rockies as an international free agent in 2018 and quickly established himself as a prospect to watch in Colorado’s farm system.
Early Life and Background
Warming Jose Bernabel was born on June 6, 2002, in the Dominican Republic, a country that has produced many of baseball’s most recognizable stars. He grew up surrounded by the sport, and his family has long been part of the baseball culture that thrives across the Caribbean nation. His unusual first name reflects that family heritage.
Bernabel’s first name, Warming, is a portmanteau that combines his father’s name, Warren, and his grandfather’s name, Ming. This naming tradition reflects a common practice in the Dominican Republic, where children are often given creative names that honor multiple generations of family. The connection to his father and grandfather has remained a part of his personal story as he pursued a career in professional baseball.
Path to Baseball
Bernabel’s journey to professional baseball began on July 2, 2018, when he signed with the Colorado Rockies as an international free agent. At the time of his signing, he received a $900,000 bonus, a significant investment that reflected the organization’s belief in his potential as a future major league player. He made his professional debut in 2019 with the Dominican Summer League Rockies, beginning his climb through the minor league system.
His progression through the minors was interrupted in 2020, when the minor league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bernabel returned in 2021 to play for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Rockies and the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies. He earned the ACL Player of the Month Award in July of that year, signaling that his development was on track. In 2022, he continued to advance, playing for Fresno and the High-A Spokane Indians before participating in the Arizona Fall League after the regular season ended. On November 15, 2022, the Rockies added Bernabel to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Warming Bernabel Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Bernabel began his professional career in 2019 with the Dominican Summer League Rockies, getting his first taste of organized professional baseball in his home country. After the lost 2020 season, he bounced back in 2021, splitting time between the Arizona Complex League and Fresno, where he posted strong numbers and earned recognition as the ACL Player of the Month for July. His performance in 2022 with Fresno and Spokane, followed by his appearance in the Arizona Fall League, showed he was ready for bigger challenges.
The Rockies’ decision to add him to the 40-man roster after the 2022 season was a clear sign that Bernabel was viewed as a legitimate major league prospect. That offseason, however, was difficult. On December 3, 2023, Bernabel and his wife were the victims of a robbery attempt in the Dominican Republic, an incident in which he suffered multiple gunshots to the back. His recovery, both physically and mentally, would shape the next chapter of his career.
Hartford Yard Goats (2023–2024)
Bernabel played the 2023 season with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, a remarkable achievement considering he had suffered two gunshot wounds only months earlier. In 83 games, he hit .225/.270/.338 with six home runs and 28 runs batted in, demonstrating that he was healthy enough to compete at a high level. His perseverance through that difficult period earned him admiration throughout the Rockies organization.
In 2024, Bernabel returned to Hartford to begin the season. He was briefly designated for assignment on March 28 following the promotion of Alan Trejo but cleared waivers and was sent outright back to Hartford on March 30. Bernabel made 120 appearances for the Yard Goats in 2024, slashing .263/.296/.359 with nine home runs, 64 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases, showing growth in both power and speed.
Albuquerque Isotopes and MLB Debut (2025)
Bernabel began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, where he was one of the most productive hitters in the Pacific Coast League. Across 75 games, he batted .301/.356/.450 with eight home runs, 45 runs batted in, and five stolen bases, a performance that made him impossible to ignore at the major league level. On July 26, he was selected to the Rockies’ 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.
His arrival in the big leagues was electric. Shortly after his debut, Bernabel was named National League Player of the Week for the week of July 28 to August 3, 2025. After batting .500 with three home runs in his first seven major league games, he finished the season slashing .252/.288/.410 with four home runs and 14 runs batted in across 40 games, mostly playing first base. He missed two weeks in September after suffering a concussion, a setback he worked through to return to the field. On December 6, the Rockies removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Albuquerque, but Bernabel elected free agency rather than accept the assignment.
Washington Nationals Era (2025–Present)
On December 19, 2025, Bernabel signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move to the Nationals organization gives him a fresh opportunity to continue his development and earn his way back to the major leagues. With his minor league track record and his brief but promising MLB showing, he is positioned to compete for a roster spot in spring training and contribute at the highest level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most significant moments in Bernabel’s career is his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2025, followed by his selection as National League Player of the Week in early August. His 2018 international signing and his November 2022 addition to the Rockies’ 40-man roster also stand out as defining milestones, along with the ACL Player of the Month Award he earned in July 2021.
Warming Bernabel Career Wins
Warming Bernabel has accumulated a series of notable achievements across the minor and major leagues, including monthly awards, league recognition, and an MLB Player of the Week honor. While detailed win totals in professional baseball typically refer to pitching victories, Bernabel is a position player, and his milestones are measured instead through batting accomplishments, promotions, and weekly honors.
Minor League Highlights
Bernabel’s path through the minors included stops with the Dominican Summer League Rockies, the Arizona Complex League Rockies, the Fresno Grizzlies, the Spokane Indians, the Hartford Yard Goats, and the Albuquerque Isotopes. He was named the ACL Player of the Month in July 2021 and earned a spot on the Rockies’ 40-man roster in November 2022. His 2025 Triple-A campaign with Albuquerque, where he batted over .300, was his most impressive minor league season.
Major League Highlights
In his first taste of major league action in 2025, Bernabel batted .500 with three home runs through his first seven games, an explosive start that led to the National League Player of the Week Award for July 28 to August 3. He finished his rookie MLB season with a .252/.288/.410 slash line, four home runs, and 14 runs batted in across 40 games, primarily at first base.
Warming Bernabel Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Bernabel’s first name is a portmanteau of his father Warren and his grandfather Ming, a tribute to his family’s deep roots. He is married, and on December 3, 2023, he and his wife were the victims of a robbery attempt in the Dominican Republic in which he suffered multiple gunshots to the back. His recovery from that incident and his return to the field underscored his resilience and the support of his family.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Bernabel’s arrival as a major league player. After a dominant Triple-A campaign with the Albuquerque Isotopes, he was promoted to the Colorado Rockies on July 26 and quickly announced his presence with a .500 average and three home runs in his first seven games. His selection as National League Player of the Week for the period of July 28 to August 3 confirmed that his bat could translate to the highest level of competition.
Bernabel finished his rookie season appearing in 40 games, mostly at first base, before a concussion in September cost him two weeks of action. After the season, the Rockies removed him from their 40-man roster and outrighted him to Albuquerque, but he chose free agency over a minor league assignment. On December 19, 2025, he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, opening the door to a fresh start and a clear path back to the big leagues.