Didier Fuentes

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #3 prospect in 2026
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
  
  Adjusted Grade: 40
  
  Track Record: Fuentes signed with the Braves out of Colombia in 2022 without much fanfare, but he elevated his stock as a pro thanks to a strong combination of strikes and fastball life. He pitched effectively at three minor league levels in his age-20 season in 2025, but struggled with fastball location and home runs in his first four major league starts in June and July.
  
  Scouting Report: Fuentes has a solid frame with more physicality than his official 6-foot, 170-pound frame indicates. He attacks hitters from a low release point and does a nice job getting off the rubber with above-average extension—which helps him throw one of the flattest fastballs in the game. Fuentes added nearly a tick and a half to his fastball velocity and averaged 94.7 mph while touching 98-99. The pitch has both power and life that makes it a swing-and-miss heater at its best, but its shape is reliant on him pounding the upper third of the strike zone and above. Fuentes’ brief major league stint showed what could happen to his fastball when he put it in the heart of the zone too often—namely, an .886 opponent slugging percentage and six home runs allowed in just 13 innings. Sharpening his fastball command will be important, as will developing secondaries to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. Fuentes has toyed with both a sweeper and gyro slider, as well as an 80-83 mph curveball with more depth and an upper-80s splitter. He has a strong track record as an above-average strike-thrower, though his command is not yet at that level.
  
  The Future: In 2026, Fuentes will pitch as a 21-year-old who has outlier fastball traits and a solid control foundation. His future role will depend on his secondary development and fastball command.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #11 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
  
  Track Record: Fuentes signed as a lower-profile international prospect out of Columbia in 2022. That same year he excelled in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old, posting a 2.25 ERA over 11 starts and 44 innings with a 28.9% strikeout rate and 5.8% walk rate. He struggled at Low-A Rome in 2023 but repeated the level in 2024 and excelled, with a 2.74 ERA in 17 starts and 75.2 innings with a 32.1% strikeout rate and 6.9% walk rate.
  
  Scouting Report: Fuentes is a sturdy righthander with a 6-foot, 170-pound frame who pitches from a low three-quarters slot and features a slight plunge in the back of his arm stroke. He primarily pitched off a fastball/slider combination in 2024 and sits in the 92-95 mph range and has touched 97. Fuentes’ fastball has swing-and-miss traits thanks to a low release point, extremely-flat approach angle (-3.94 VAA) and healthy armside movement. His mid-80s slider has solid spin, two-plane break and average potential against righties. Fuentes worked to develop feel for a mid-80s splitter that could provide a useful secondary against lefthanded hitters. Fuentes has been an above-average strike-thrower going back to the DSL, and he establishes his fastball in the zone consistently.
  
  The Future: Fuentes has a starter’s look and a fastball that could carry him. Continuing to improve his secondaries will be among his goals in 2025, when he should be ready to tackle High-A competition.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55.