Joshua Fuentes Stats & Scouting Report

AB	245
AVG	.208
OBP	.255
SLG	.29
HR	3

Full name Joshua Fuentes
Born 02/19/1993 in Rancho Santo Margarita, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 209 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Missouri Baptist
Debut 04/06/2019

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

TRACK RECORD: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of NAIA Missouri Baptist in 2014 after his junior season for $10,000, Fuentes had a familiarity with the Rockies' organization thanks to his cousin Nolan Arenado. His continued success led to his big league debut on April 6.

SCOUTING REPORT: Fuentes features a strong inside-out swing, stays on the ball well, makes consistent contact and uses all fields. Fuentes tried to lift the ball for more power in 2019, which resulted in a careerhigh 17 home runs but career worsts in batting average and on-base percentage. His average exit velocity also dropped by 3.5 mph. Fuentes recorded a paltry .335 slugging percentage away from hitter-happy Albuquerque. Fuentes has the hands and reactions to play both third and first base adequately.

THE FUTURE: In 2020, Fuentes will be at a career crossroads. He'll need another strong season to prove himself as potential everyday player. If that doesn't happen, he could wind up as an up-and-down candidate.
Track Record: Fuentes is the cousin of Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, which gave Colorado an edge to sign him as a nondrafted free agent. In the last two seasons, Fuentes has created his own identity. After hitting .307 at Double-A Hartford in 2017, he brought home all the honors in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2018. He was a midseason and postseason PCL all-star and both the league's MVP and rookie of the year. He also claimed MVP honors at the Triple-A all-star game. The key to his success? Fuentes quit trying to be Nolan Arenado and blossomed as Josh Fuentes.

Scouting Report: As he has moved up in the Rockies' system, Fuentes has responded to the challenge, improving his stock each year. He hit .327 at Triple-A Albuquerque with 65 extra-base hits, and a team-high 95 RBIs. He welcomes the challenge of getting better, but unlike the always-serious nature of his all-star cousin, Fuentes has allowed his laid-back approach and sense of humor emerge as he has become more relaxed and successful. He has the hands and arm strength to be an elite defensive third baseman. Critics will point to the fact Fuentes has reached double figures in home runs just twice in five minor league seasons, including 14 in the PCL in 2018. But for the record, cousin Nolan never hit more than 18 home runs in any minor league season.

The Future: Fuentes established himself as a player to watch with his consistent effort and all-around strong play in 2018. His big year has positioned him to be a candidate to replace Arenado at third base if he departs as a free agent after the 2019 season.
Best known as the cousin of Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Fuentes went undrafted despite hitting .365 his junior year at Missouri Baptist. He started to create his own legacy at Double-A Hartford in 2017, putting together a dominant final seven weeks to finish tied for second in the Eastern League with a .307 average and third with a .517 slugging percentage and .869 OPS. Fuentes has always hit, putting together a career .287/.346/.456 slash line as a professional. His swing can get long at times and he doesn't walk much, but he maintained a compact approach during his hot stretch that shot him to new heights at Double-A. He gets to serviceable power too. Fuentes has the arm strength for third base and decent range, but began seeing time at first base playing for Culiacan in the Mexican Winter League in order to enhance his versatility. Fuentes has beat the odds every step of his career. His bat and ability to play both infield corners give him a chance to rise to the big leagues, likely as a bench player.

Scouting Reports

TRACK RECORD: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of NAIA Missouri Baptist in 2014 after his junior season for $10,000, Fuentes had a familiarity with the Rockies' organization thanks to his cousin Nolan Arenado. His continued success led to his big league debut on April 6.

SCOUTING REPORT: Fuentes features a strong inside-out swing, stays on the ball well, makes consistent contact and uses all fields. Fuentes tried to lift the ball for more power in 2019, which resulted in a careerhigh 17 home runs but career worsts in batting average and on-base percentage. His average exit velocity also dropped by 3.5 mph. Fuentes recorded a paltry .335 slugging percentage away from hitter-happy Albuquerque. Fuentes has the hands and reactions to play both third and first base adequately.

THE FUTURE: In 2020, Fuentes will be at a career crossroads. He'll need another strong season to prove himself as potential everyday player. If that doesn't happen, he could wind up as an up-and-down candidate.