ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 2: Didier Fuentes #75 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Truist Park on July 2, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Jeff Francoeur of the Braves smiles sarcastically after getting called out looking on strike 3 by umpire Jerry Crawford during action between the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on May 28, 2006. The Braves won 13-12 in 11 innings. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images) Getty
The Atlanta Braves enter the All-Star break with a 55-40 record and a 2.0 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies , who are rapidly approaching first place in the NL East. Atlanta finished the first half of its season a bit sluggish, but overall, having 55 wins and being in first place, no matter the circumstances, is a big success.
One of the biggest strengths of this Braves team so far has been their bullpen, and youngster Didier Funtes has been a big part of that development.
However, Braves legend and analyst, Jeff Francoeur , would like to see Fuentes utilized in a different role going forward.
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GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 2: Didier Fuentes #75 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Truist Park on July 2, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
In a recent appearance on 680 The Fan, Jeff Francoeur wants to see Didier Fuentes being utilized as a starter going forward:
"I'd like to see Fuentes move into a starter role."
"The need right now outweighs the role that he's had."
Perhaps Jeff Francoeur has a real point. Atlanta's starters have been iffy. Didier Fuentes has been rock solid in the bullpen, and he literally came up as a starter.
Across 37.1 innings pitched this season (31 appearances), Fuentes boasts an ERA of 2.65 with 44 strikeouts and a perfect pitching record of 4-0. His sophomore season has been great for his development.
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GettyJeff Francoeur of the Braves smiles sarcastically after getting called out looking on strike 3 by umpire Jerry Crawford during action between the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on May 28, 2006. The Braves won 13-12 in 11 innings. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images)
Jeff Francoeur played six seasons with the Atlanta Braves over multiple stints. He made his MLB debut with Atlanta, and held a lifetime batting average with the Braves of .265 with 85 home runs, 142 doubles, and an OPS+ of 88 across 2710 career at-bats with Atlanta.
As for Francoeur's statement on Didier Fuentes, it has a lot of basis, and with the likes of Spencer Strider and Martin Perez on the shelf, Fuentes might be a more trusted arm than JR Ritchie, Owen Murphy, or Hurston Waldrep .
Didier Fuentes is just 21 years old, and this season has shown that his arsenal is strong enough to pitch in MLB. Across his 37+ innings this season, Fuentes has allowed just one home run. In 13 innings last season, Fuentes surrendered six long balls to opposing batters.
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