Didier Fuentes made quite the impression yesterday, and it's hard not to take notice. Sure, it's only Spring Training, but when you strike out five without issuing a walk, people start to pay attention. His fastball, clocking in at a blistering 98.7 MPH, was a sight to behold.
Pair that heat with his sweeper, and you’ve got a glimpse of what Fuentes brought to the mound against the Yankees' road lineup. It's performances like these that thrust him into the Braves' rotation conversation.
But he's not the only young gun making waves. JR Ritchie is also turning heads this spring.
Ritchie's arsenal is impressive, featuring a fastball, sinker, sweeper, curveball, changeup, and cutter. He's not just experimenting; he's executing, and the results speak for themselves.
So, who ends up logging more innings in 2026: JR Ritchie or Didier Fuentes? If we’re putting money on it, JR Ritchie seems to have a clearer path to the Opening Day rotation.
Even if he doesn’t start right away, he might get the call to Atlanta before Fuentes does. Fuentes, with less than 50 innings in the upper minors, might start in AAA unless circumstances change drastically.
Bryce Elder is still in the mix, and Martin Perez is around as well. But rest assured, these prospects will get their shot.
If I had to pick, I'd lean towards JR Ritchie. But after watching Fuentes yesterday, he's making a strong case for himself.