MIAMI, Fl. — Atlanta Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes, the team’s No. 10 prospect, made his major league debut Friday night against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park, becoming the youngest Braves pitcher in over 50 years at just 20 years old.
The Colombian native, who turned 20 three days prior, showed flashes of brilliance, but struggled with consistency, surrendering four runs over five innings in a performance that earned a B grade from EasySportz under the circumstances.
Fuentes, promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett after just one start where he allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings, faced a Marlins lineup that capitalized early. The right-hander gave up four runs, three of which came on a towering home run by Agustin Ramirez in the second inning, a curveball that caught too much of the plate. Despite the early damage, Fuentes settled in, notably striking out the side in the fourth inning with his mid-90s fastball and sharp slider, demonstrating the swing-and-miss potential that has him ranked among baseball’s top prospects. He issued just one walk, showcasing the control praised by Braves manager Brian Snitker, who noted Fuentes’ maturity and ability to throw strikes.
The outing was a mixed bag for the young pitcher, who climbed from High-A to Triple-A this season with a 4.81 ERA across 39 1/3 innings. His debut marked a historic moment, as he became the youngest MLB starting pitcher since Julio Urías in 2016. Fuentes’ stat line—5 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K—reflected both his potential and inexperience. Posts on X highlighted his ability to rebound after early struggles, with one user noting his fastball command improved as he elevated pitches, generating key strikeouts.
Given Fuentes’ age and little experience in the upper levels of Minor League Baseball, a B grade feels right for his debut. Fuentes had strong command of the strike zone, limited damage and kept his composure on the bound, but he still gave up four, no matter how the damage was done. Parlay that with a struggling Marlins club doing the damage and you have an 85-ish overall grade.
If this were a better ball club, you consider bumping Fuentes to a B+. Now, the likely losing effort is far from his fault, as the Braves only put up 1 run through 6 at the time of posting.
“I really love his competitiveness, he’s really poised, he doesn’t get too excited about all this stuff, he just goes out and competes,” said Fuentes’ primary scout Orlando Covo, supervisor of international scouting for the Braves.
Covo spoke to FanDuel Sports Network on Fuentes’ debut during the 6th inning Friday, accompanied by the rookie’s father in the stands of loanDepot Park.
The Braves’ offense failed to provide support, managing just two runs against Marlins starter Janson Junk, who scattered hits over 5 2/3 innings. Atlanta’s lackluster bats, a recurring issue in recent games, placed undue pressure on Fuentes to keep the game close. Against a stronger opponent, his performance might have warranted an A- for its resilience and flashes of dominance, particularly given his age and limited Triple-A experience. However, facing a weaker Marlins team, the four runs allowed—especially the three-run homer—prevented an A-tier grade. The B+ reflects a solid debut under pressure, with the offense shouldering much of the blame for the loss.
Fuentes’ debut aligns with Atlanta’s strategy to push young talent, as seen with past prospects like AJ Smith-Shawver. With injuries to pitchers like Smith-Shawver and Reynaldo López, Fuentes’ call-up provided rest for Atlanta’s rotation ahead of a crucial Mets series. If Fuentes refines his pitch mix, as seen in his dominant Spring Breakout performance (7 K in 3 IP), he could earn more starts. For now, his debut was a promising, if imperfect, step for the Braves’ rising star.
Didier Fuentes had a solid start for a 20-year-old with just one game pitched in AAA before getting the call up.
To make the occassion even more memorable for the Fuentes family, his father and cousin both managed to catch a foul ball during his debut! Script that!
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The post Grading Atlanta Braves Prospect Didier Fuentes’ First Start first appeared on easySportz.
The post Grading Atlanta Braves Prospect Didier Fuentes’ First Start appeared first on easySportz.
Grading Atlanta Braves Prospect Didier Fuentes’ First Start