Warming Bernabel Bio
Warming Jose Bernabel is a Dominican professional baseball first baseman who currently plays for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies and has moved through several organizations as a first baseman and corner bat. Bernabel signed with the Rockies as an international free agent in 2018 and made his MLB debut with the club in 2025.
Born on June 6, 2002, Bernabel began his professional career in 2019 and has competed in the Dominican Summer League, the Arizona Complex League, Single-A, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A before reaching the majors. Across his various stops, he has built a profile as a power-hitting corner infielder with a patient approach at the plate.
Warming Bernabel Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Warming Jose Bernabel was born on June 6, 2002, in the Dominican Republic, a country with a deep tradition of producing major league baseball talent. Like many Dominican prospects, he grew up playing the sport in his community before drawing attention from professional scouts. The Dominican Republic has long served as a primary source of international free-agent signings, and Bernabel followed that pathway into professional baseball.
His first name, Warming, is a portmanteau that combines his father’s name, Warren, and his grandfather’s name, Ming. This family detail reflects the close ties that often shape the lives of young Dominican players as they pursue careers in the sport. Information about his specific hometown and formal education is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
Path to Baseball
Bernabel entered professional baseball through the international free-agent system, signing with the Colorado Rockies on July 2, 2018, for a $900,000 bonus. This signing was a major step in his development, as it gave him access to a full professional infrastructure. The contract demonstrated the organization’s belief in his potential as a future major league first baseman.
He made his professional debut in 2019 with the Dominican Summer League Rockies, beginning the long minor league climb that is typical for international signees. After the 2019 season, he continued to advance through the Rockies’ farm system, with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 interrupting but not ending his progression. He returned to the field in 2021 and steadily moved up the developmental ladder.
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. He did not play in 2020 because the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When play resumed in 2021, he split time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Rockies and the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies, and he earned the ACL Player of the Month Award in July of that year.
In 2022, Bernabel continued his climb by playing for Fresno and the High-A Spokane Indians. After the regular season, he joined the Arizona Fall League, a respected showcase for top prospects. On November 15, 2022, the Rockies added him to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft and signaling his growing importance within the organization.
Hartford Yard Goats Era (2023–2024)
The 2023 season brought both a promotion and a major personal challenge. 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. Despite the injuries, he played the 2023 season with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, hitting .225/.270/.338 with six home runs and 28 RBI across 83 games.
Bernabel returned to Double-A Hartford to begin the 2024 season. On March 28, he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Alan Trejo, but he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Hartford on March 30. In 120 appearances for the Yard Goats in 2024, he slashed .263/.296/.359 with nine home runs, 64 RBI, and 12 stolen bases, showing improved on-base skills and run production.
Albuquerque Isotopes and MLB Debut (2025)
Bernabel began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, where he produced one of his strongest minor league stretches. In 75 games, he batted .301/.356/.450 with eight home runs, 45 RBI, and five stolen bases, earning his way back onto the major league radar. That performance set the stage for his first call-up to The Show.
On July 26, 2025, Bernabel was selected to the Rockies 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. Shortly after his debut, he was named National League Player of the Week for the week of July 28 through August 3. 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 RBI in 40 games, mostly playing first base. He missed two weeks in September after suffering a concussion. On December 6, the Rockies removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Albuquerque, but he elected free agency rather than accept the assignment.
Washington Nationals and Independent Baseball (2026)
On December 19, 2025, Bernabel signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals, hoping to find a new organization to continue his career. He was released by the Nationals prior to the start of the 2026 regular season on March 21, 2026, and his time in the Washington system ended before Opening Day. The release forced him to explore opportunities outside of affiliated baseball.
On May 27, 2026, Bernabel signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League, but he made only two plate appearances, going 0-for-2, before being released on June 1. Shortly afterward, on June 11, 2026, he signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball, where he continues to play as a first baseman. His path through multiple organizations has shown his persistence in continuing his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a first baseman, Bernabel is recognized for his right-handed power profile and his ability to drive the ball to the middle of the field. His minor league track record has featured solid extra-base pop, including 20-plus home run pace seasons in the upper minors. Defensively, he has handled the demands of first base while continuing to develop his footwork around the bag.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most dramatic moments of Bernabel’s career came in December 2023, when he survived a shooting during a robbery attempt in the Dominican Republic. His MLB debut on July 26, 2025, and his National League Player of the Week award for the week of July 28 through August 3, 2025, stand as the clearest on-field milestones of his major league journey.
Warming Bernabel Career Wins
MLB Wins and Series Highlights
In his 2025 MLB debut season with the Colorado Rockies, Bernabel established himself as a major league hitter. Across 40 games, mostly at first base, he batted .252 with four home runs and 14 RBI, and he opened his career with a .500 average and three home runs in his first seven major league games. The National League Player of the Week honor for the week of July 28 through August 3, 2025, was the headline achievement of his first major league summer.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the majors, Bernabel posted strong numbers at several minor league stops, including a .301/.356/.450 slash line with eight home runs and 45 RBI in 75 games for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in 2025. He also earned the Arizona Complex League Player of the Month Award in July 2021 and was added to the Rockies 40-man roster in November 2022 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Warming Bernabel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Although Bernabel is a baseball player rather than a motorsport athlete, his family ties remain a notable part of his personal story. His first name, Warming, was created by combining his father’s name, Warren, with his grandfather’s name, Ming, a meaningful blend of two generations of his family. This family influence has been a steady part of his background as he has progressed through professional baseball.
Personal Life
Bernabel is married, and he and his wife were the victims of a robbery attempt in the Dominican Republic on December 3, 2023. During the incident, he suffered multiple gunshots to the back, an event that tested his resilience. He returned to play the 2023 season with the Hartford Yard Goats, demonstrating his determination to continue his career after the attack.
2025 Season Performance
Bernabel’s 2025 season was split between Triple-A Albuquerque and the major leagues, and it marked his long-awaited arrival on a big league roster. He opened the year with the Albuquerque Isotopes, hitting .301/.356/.450 with eight home runs, 45 RBI, and five stolen bases in 75 games. That production earned him a promotion to the Rockies on July 26, 2025.
His first taste of the majors was electric, as he batted .500 with three home runs in his first seven games and was named National League Player of the Week for the week of July 28 through August 3, 2025. He finished the year slashing .252/.288/.410 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games, while missing two weeks in September because of a concussion. Despite the promising debut, the Rockies removed him from their 40-man roster after the season, and he elected free agency on December 6, 2025, before signing a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals on December 19, 2025.
