Brian Fuentes

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**Brian Fuentes**

Colorado Rockies — No. 40
Closer
Born: August 9, 1975 (1975-08-09) (age 32) Merced, California
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
June 2, 2001 for the Seattle Mariners
Selected MLB statistics (through June 04, 2008)
Win-Loss	16-24
Earned run average	3.48
Strikeouts	419
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2001) Colorado Rockies (2002-present)
Highlights and awards
3x All-Star selection (2005, 2006, 2007)

Brian Christopher Fuentes (pronounced /ˈfwɛntɨs/, born August 9, 1975 in Merced, California) is a closer in Major League Baseball who plays for the Colorado Rockies. Previously, Fuentes played for the Seattle Mariners (10 games) (2001). He bats and throws left-handed.

1 Professional Career
2 Pitching style
3 Personal
4 Statistics
5 Highlights
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Professional Career

Fuentes was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th round of the 1995 amateur draft, and was signed by Mariners' scout Rodney Davis. Through the first four years of his Major League career, Fuentes had a record of 8-8 with a 4.04 ERA, recording only four saves in 163 games. However, in 2005, Fuentes took over the closer role for the Rockies following the season-ending shoulder surgery of right-handed pitcher Chin-hui Tsao. Fuentes had a successful season and was named to his first career All-Star Game, but did not appear in the game. He became the first reliever and only the third pitcher overall to represent the Rockies, joining starting pitchers Mike Hampton (2001) and Shawn Chacon (2003). His 31 saves matched Dave Veres (1995) for the third highest single season total in franchise history, trailing only José Jiménez (41 in 2002) and Chacon (35 in 2004). In 2006, Fuentes earned 30 saves while posting a 3-4 record and a 3.44 ERA. Before being drafted; however, he attended Merced High School in Merced, California. After graduating from Merced High School, Fuentes attended Merced Junior college and had success with the blue devils in the central valley conference.

In June 2007, after blowing four saves within an eight-day period, Fuentes was demoted from his role as Rockies closer, losing the job to Manny Corpas. Despite his struggles as of late, he was named an NL All-Star later that week for the third time in his career.

In April 2008, he regained his closer role, after Corpas had blown a number of save opportunities.^[1]

[edit] Pitching style

Fuentes' pitching delivery is a unique and sometimes confusing one, especially for left-handed hitters. He pitches in a a funky sidearm motion that is difficult for hitters to pick up and keeps them off balance. Many batters, mainly left-handers, say the ball appears to be coming out of the sleeve of his jersey.

[edit] Personal

He married Barbara and has two sons, one named Giovanni Paolo, and a daughter.

He currently makes offseason home in Merced, California.

Fuentes comes from a Mexican American family.^[2]

[edit] Statistics

Career Statistics at June 4, 2008

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
16	24	3.48	397	0	0	0	92	383	317	148	39	165	419

[edit] Highlights

All-Star (2005, 2006, 2007 (replaced by Brandon Webb)
World Baseball Classic - U.S. (2006)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
Baseball Almanac - career statistics and analysis