Overview
- Alex Anthopoulos confirmed on Sunday that the Braves view 21-year-old Didier Fuentes as a long-term starting pitcher and will bring him to spring camp in that role.
- Anthopoulos said the club will be careful increasing Fuentes’ workload, noting he threw roughly 80 innings in 2026 and that the team may not push him past about 130 innings if he starts next year.
- Atlanta explicitly refused to include Fuentes in trade discussions for Tarik Skubal at the August deadline, a move reporters say shows the team prized his multi-year control and upside.
- Fuentes broke out in 2026 with a 2.45 ERA, a 31% strikeout rate and 73 1/3 innings across 58 appearances, and he also contributed in the postseason with a 3.86 ERA in five games.
- The decision to retain Fuentes reflects the Braves’ choice to protect a controllable, high-upside arm while they address rotation depth and short-term pitching needs through trades and free-agent talks.