Thu Jun 26 00:00:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Braves Call Up Top Pitching Prospect Didier Fuentes for Marlins Start**

Atlanta, GA – In a surprising move, the Atlanta Braves are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Didier Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his major league debut tomorrow against the Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. The 20-year-old Colombian native, ranked among the Braves’ top prospects, will require corresponding roster moves to be added to both the 40-man and active rosters.

Fuentes’ promotion is considered aggressive, given his limited experience above Single-A ball. However, his performance across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A this season has impressed the organization. Despite a 4.81 ERA in 39 1/3 innings, his underlying metrics, including a 28.9% strikeout rate and a 2.81 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), suggest he has pitched better than his ERA indicates.

Fuentes has rapidly climbed prospect rankings, now sitting at #3 in the Braves’ system and #82 overall according to FanGraphs. His fastball-slider combination, coupled with a developing splitter, has drawn comparisons to Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo.

The Braves’ rotation has been impacted by injuries this season, with AJ Smith-Shawver undergoing Tommy John surgery and Reynaldo López recovering from shoulder surgery. The current rotation consists of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes. While the team has not confirmed, Fuentes’ start could be a spot start amidst a stretch of 13 consecutive games, providing additional rest for other starters.

Many fans speculate that this move is designed to keep the rotation on track to give Schwellenbach, Sale, and Strider the 3 starts against the Mets next week. This would have only been possible by calling someone up or throwing a bullpen game. Vernon T Waldrop recently pitched, so he’s not available to come up for Friday’s game.

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