According to Eric Cross of RotoBaller, the Atlanta Braves called up Colombian right-handed pitcher Didier Fuentes, the club’s No. 10 prospect on MLBPipeline.com, from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 19.
Didier Fuentes is getting called up to the Braves.
Last 4 GS (AA/AAA): 18.2 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 23 K
Just turned 20 two days ago. Very similar rise as AJ Smith-Shawver in 2023.#BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/rqK5QltRhJ
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) June 19, 2025
Fuentes, the No. 2-ranked pitching prospect in the Braves organization, has made just one start at Triple-A, pitching on June 14 against the Memphis Redbirds, affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Braves beat writer Mark Bowman reported that Fuentes will join the big-league roster in time for the start of Atlanta’s three-game road series against the Miami Marlins and is expected to make his Major League debut Friday, June 20.
Didier Fuentes will join the Braves tomorrow to start against the Marlins. Fuentes is a 20-year-old prospect who has 48 strikeouts and 12 walks over 39.1 IP at three different levels this year. His addition allows the Braves to give everyone an extra day of rest the next turn
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 19, 2025
The series opener is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Bowman added that the Tolu, Colombia native will be 20 years and three days old on June 20, making him MLB’s youngest starting pitcher since Julio Urias, who was 19 years and 362 days old when he pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 8, 2016. Fuentes will also be the youngest Braves starter since Mike McQueen took the mound at 19 years and 297 days on June 23, 1970.
Didier Fuentes will be 20 years and three days tomorrow. He'll be MLB's youngest starter since LAD's Julio Urias was 19 yr, 362 days on 8/8/16 vs. PHI. He'll be the Braves' youngest SP since Mike McQueen (19 yr, 297 days) vs. LAD 6/23/1970.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 19, 2025
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel noted on June 19 that Fuentes has advanced metrics similar to those of Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo.
Reports that Braves #2-ranked prospect RHP Didier Fuentes is getting called up for his big league debut tomorrow. @JeffPassan asked if I had a comp. Took a second, but I do! https://t.co/0LHthUHuMZ https://t.co/vL7BJ0xB7b pic.twitter.com/7vBelwlxGo
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) June 19, 2025
Fuentes’s Baseball Savant profile states he throws his fastball for strikes at a 72 percent rate and averages 93.6 mph with a peak of 97 mph. His fastball plays up thanks to a low release point and strong vertical approach angle. His slider, which sits at 84-85 mph, is considered his top secondary pitch, while he also mixes in a splitter occasionally.
Fuentes signed with Atlanta for $75,000 on January 15, 2022, during the international signing period.
So far in 2025, Fuentes has pitched at three levels of the Braves’ farm system—High-A Rome, Double-A Columbus, and Triple-A Gwinnett.
At High-A Rome, he went 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA in three starts, throwing 13 innings, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs, with five walks and 18 strikeouts. He was promoted to Double-A Columbus on April 25.
With Columbus, Fuentes made five starts and posted an 0-5 record with a 4.98 ERA. Over 21.2 innings, he allowed 21 hits, 12 earned runs, and one home run while walking seven and striking out 24.
In his lone start at Triple-A Gwinnett, Fuentes went 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA, throwing 4.2 innings and striking out six while giving up three hits and one earned run.
Across all levels in 2025, Fuentes has a combined 0-7 record with a 4.81 ERA in nine starts. He has thrown 39.1 innings, allowed 32 hits, 21 earned runs, two home runs, 12 walks, and struck out 48, with a 1.119 WHIP.
Last season, Fuentes pitched for Low-A Augusta, making 18 appearances and 17 starts. He posted a 3-6 record and a 2.74 ERA over 75.2 innings, allowing 56 hits, 23 earned runs, eight home runs, 21 walks, and 98 strikeouts, with a 1.018 WHIP.
In his four minor league seasons, Fuentes has a career 4-18 record with a 3.70 ERA across 48 appearances (44 starts). He has pitched 185 innings, given up 155 hits, 76 earned runs, 18 home runs, and 55 walks, while striking out 223 with a 1.135 WHIP.
Braves manager Brian Snitker, who led Atlanta to the 2021 World Series title, will have a decision to make as he evaluates his rotation with Fuentes entering the mix. The Braves currently feature Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and Spencer Strider, with Reynaldo Lopez and AJ Smith-Shawver on the 60-day injured list.
Fuentes could also be a candidate for Colombia’s roster at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, if he performs well in his debut season. Colombia will compete in Pool A at the WBC, scheduled for March 6-11 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, alongside Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Cuba.
