The Atlanta Braves' 2025 campaign has been a rocky road, to say the least, and a lot of the bumps have stemmed from pitching-related issues. Betweencloser Raisel Iglesias' putrid performances, theyo-yo treatment of Jesse Chavez, and therecent Craig Kimbrel drama, it's safe to say Braves fans are hungry for some positive pitching news for once.
Fortunately, that's exactly what the Atlanta faithful received on Friday.
Braves Promote Top Pitching Prospect Didier Fuentes to Triple-A Gwinnett
On Friday afternoon, Gwinnett Stripers commentator Dave Lezotte revealed that the Braves havepromoted right-handed pitching prospect Didier Fuentesfrom Double-A Columbus to their Triple-A affiliate. The 19-year-old hurler iscurrently the No. 10 prospect in Atlanta's system, according to the MLB Pipeline.
According to Lezotte, Fuentes will be "just the 3rd teenager ever to play for Gwinnett," following inOzzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr.'s footsteps. That's some pretty good company to be a part of at this stage of the Colombian starting pitcher's career.
Fuentes has been in the Braves' prospect cupboard sincesigning a $75,000 contractduring the 2022 international signing period. He spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Single-A Augusta, which includes registering career highs in ERA (3.33) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.7) across 18 appearances last year.
After a strong Spring Training showing, Fuentes started the 2025 campaign with High-A Rome, notching a 5.54 ERA in three starts. Although that wasn't the most lights-out performance, his 18 Ks across 13 innings were impressive enough for the Braves to promote him to Double-A at the end of April. He's since gone 0-5 with a 4.98 ERA and 24 Ks in 21 2/3 innings throughout five starts.
Needless to say, Braves fans are excited to see where Fuentes' career will take him next. Even though most signs point to his needing a few more years in the minors, his rapid progression could see him joining Atlanta's rotation or bullpen sooner rather than later.
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