MIAMI — Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes became the youngest active player in the majors and youngest Atlanta starter since 1969 in making his debut against the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
Atlanta called up the 20-year-0ld from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier in the day — three days after his birthday — to start the first of a three-game series at Miami.
Fuentes is the third-youngest starting pitcher in Braves history, only older than Charlie Vaughan and Mike McQueen. Vaughan debuted Sept. 3, 1966, at 18. McQueen pitched his first game Oct. 2, 1969, at 19.
Fuentes will also be the youngest MLB starter to debut since Julio Urías on May 27, 2016, for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I had to go online and see what he looked like, honestly,” Braves manager Brian Snitker quipped before Friday’s game.
Snitker met Fuentes on Thursday night. The youngster’s maturity stood out to him.
“I’m sure he’s going to have some nerves because he’s human and wants to do good,” Snitker said. “There’s nothing like it. That’s why it’s always such a big deal when a guy debuts.”
Fuentes, who is rated on MLB Pipeline as the Braves’ No. 10 prospect, posted a 4.81 ERA at three levels this season. His most recent start was his debut with Gwinnett, in which he scattered three hits over 4 2/3 innings while striking out six. In 33 minor league starts, he’s averaging about 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Colombia native will not be on a pitch count, and his start will provide rest for the regular members of Atlanta’s rotation as the Braves prepare for a four-game series at the New York Mets next week.
The Braves won three straight after sweeping the Mets to extend New York’s losing streak to six games. Atlanta began the day trailing the Mets and Phillies by 10 games in the NL East.
