The Atlanta Braves made a minor deal before the end of 2022. They signed Joshua Fuentes to a minor league deal.
Braves Sign Joshua Fuentes To Minor League Deal https://t.co/Y4MLNkBzcn pic.twitter.com/9sfaFpPUzD
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 31, 2022
Joshua Fuentes was an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Baptist University who signed with the Colorado Rockies. Despite being undrafted, his work throughout the minor leagues saw him climb all the way to being ranked the Rockies 11th best prospect in 2019 according to MLB pipeline.
Fuentes would make his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2019. Joining his cousin, Nolan Arenado.
Offensively, he has never found his footing at the major league level. In 149 career games, he has a slash line of .243/.269/.377 across 443 plate appearances. This includes 12 HRs, 52 R, 57 RBI, & 2 SB.
While Joshua Fuentes was never able to replicate his offense from his minor league days, the one thing he has become known for is a reliable glove. He has been great defensively when in the big leagues. As a first baseman, he has 9 DRS in 417.1 innings. At third base, Fuentes has 10 DRS in 472.1 innings. OAA does not like him as much at third (0 OAA) but he does have 6 career OAA as a first baseman.
While there is some concern with the arm strength, the defense has been great from Fuentes in his limited big league experience.
After being let go by the Rockies following the 2021 season, Joshua Fuentes signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in March 2022. He would be released on May 23rd. Following his release, he would sign with Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League in June, where he would hit .299/.364/.576 with 10 HR & 27 RBI in 41 games.
Now, he joins the Atlanta Braves on a minor league deal. It is not a groundbreaking move, but it is a solid move to add depth to the minor leagues. Fuentes is a solid depth piece that could play reliable defense at either infield corner position in the event of an emergency. Maybe the Braves can tap into the swing that saw him put up really good offensive numbers in his early days in the minor leagues.
A solid depth move for the Braves. Welcome to the Braves, Joshua Fuentes.