It’s now official — the Atlanta Braves have promoted 20-year-old right-handed pitching prospect to the major league roster as of Friday morning.
To make space, the team designated right-handed reliever José Ruiz for assignment.
The Braves confirmed the move in a statement:
“The Braves today selected RHP to the major league roster and designated RHP José Ruiz for assignment.”
Fuentes received the call-up after making just one start for Triple-A Gwinnett, where he allowed one run on a solo homer, gave up three hits, walked none, and struck out six over 4.2 innings.
Including that appearance, Fuentes holds a 4.81 ERA and a 1.119 WHIP with 48 strikeouts across 39.1 innings in the minors this season.
Sports Illustrated’s Harrison Smajovits reported Thursday that Fuentes would be added to the roster to start Friday night’s game against the Miami Marlins. Smajovits described Fuentes as a “fast-rising” talent within the Braves’ farm system.
“Fuentes, now ranked as the Braves’ No. 10 prospect, has climbed quickly through the minors this season. Starting with High-A Rome, he earned promotions after just a few outings at each level. He really began turning heads with a strong showing in Spring Breakout,” wrote Smajovits.
There have been no injuries reported in Atlanta’s rotation, so Fuentes’ stay in the majors may be short, likely just for his debut. His start, however, gives the rest of the Braves’ healthy starters an extra day of rest.
Should Fuentes deliver another strong performance like his Triple-A outing, the 20-year-old may make a compelling case to stay with the big-league club.
Fuentes signed with the Braves as an international free agent from Colombia in 2022 for $75,000. This season, along with his Triple-A debut, he also made appearances at the Double-A level for the first time.
As for Ruiz, he’s pitched in two games for Atlanta this season. On June 10 against Milwaukee, he threw a scoreless inning, allowing just one baserunner. But in a June 15 outing versus Colorado, he surrendered three runs on two hits and two walks in a single frame.
The Braves head into Friday night’s matchup after sweeping the New York Mets and winning six of their last seven games.
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