| Brian Fuentes | |
|---|---|
Fuentes with the Colorado Rockies in 2008 |
|
| Oakland Athletics – No. 57 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: August 9, 1975 Merced, California |
|
| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| June 2, 2001 for the Seattle Mariners | |
| Career statistics (through 2011 Season) |
|
| Win–loss record | 24–41 |
| Earned run average | 3.44 |
| Strikeouts | 615 |
| Saves | 199 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Brian Christopher Fuentes ( /ˈfwɛntɨs/; born August 9, 1975) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, he played for the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws left-handed.
Contents |
Fuentes was born in in Merced, California, and attended high school at Merced High School in Merced, California. After graduating from high school, Fuentes attended Merced Junior college.
Fuentes was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th round of the 1995 amateur draft. He spent one season for the Mariners appearing in ten games.
On December 16, 2001, Fuentes was traded to the Colorado Rockies, along with Jose Paniagua and Denny Stark for Jeff Cirillo. 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 and was selected as an All-Star for the second time.
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, he was named an NL All-Star later that week for the third straight year.
In April 2008, Fuentes regained his closer role, after Corpas had blown a number of save opportunities.[1]
On December 31, 2008, Fuentes agreed to a two-year deal with the Angels to fill in the position as closer after Francisco Rodríguez left for the Mets.[2] On July 5, 2009, he was elected to represent Los Angeles in the 2009 All Star Game, at the time leading the majors in saves.
Brian led the major leagues in saves with 48 in 2009. His strikeout to walk ratio decreased from a 3.73 rate with the 2008 Colorado Rockies to a much more modest 1.92 in 2009. His difficulties led manager Mike Scoscia to call in young reliever Kevin Jepsen to close at certain times.[3][4]
On October 17, 2009, during Game 2 of the 2009 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, Fuentes gave up a game-tying home run to Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the 11th inning. The Angels would eventually lose the game and the series.
On August 27, 2010, Fuentes was traded to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later.[5] While Fuentes had been a closer with the Angels, he was expected to be a set-up man with the Twins.[6] Nevertheless, Fuentes earned a save in his first outing with the Twins, a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.[7]
On January 16, 2011, Fuentes reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Oakland Athletics.[8] The A's Manager Bob Geren demoted him from the closing role once again in May 2011, reportedly due to performance issues.[9] In the same general timeframe, Fuentes made public statements critical Geren's management, as did former A's reliever Huston Street.[9]
Fuentes' pitching delivery is a unique and sometimes confusing one, especially for left-handed hitters. He pitches sidearm, which 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. His fastball usually clocks between 89–92 miles per hour.
Brian Fuentes has a wife (Barbara), his oldest son Giovanni, two fraternal twins, Benecio and Gabriella, and their youngest child Farrah .[10][11]
Fuentes currently makes his offseason home in Merced, California.[10]
Fuentes comes from a Mexican-American family.[12]
|
|||||