Brian Fuentes

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Brian Fuentes

| image = BrianFuentes.JPG

| caption = Fuentes with the Rockies in 2008

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|8|9}}

| birth_place = Merced, California, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = June 2

| debutyear = 2001

| debutteam = Seattle Mariners

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = August 8

| finalyear = 2012

| finalteam = St. Louis Cardinals

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 26–43

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 3.62

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 639

| stat4label = Saves

| stat4value = 204

| teams =

Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2001}})
Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2002}}–{{mlby|2008}})
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2010}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2012}})

| awards =

4× All-Star (2005–2007, 2009)
AL saves leader (2009)

}}

Brian Christopher Fuentes ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|w|ɛ|n|t|ᵻ|s}}; born August 9, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. He bats and throws left-handed.

Early years

Fuentes was born in Merced, California and attended Merced High School. After graduating from high school, Fuentes attended Merced Community College.

Professional career

=Seattle Mariners=

Fuentes was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 25th round of the 1995 MLB draft. He spent one season for the Mariners appearing in ten games.

=Colorado Rockies=

On December 16, 2001, Fuentes was traded to the Colorado Rockies, along with José Paniagua and Denny Stark for Jeff Cirillo.{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F072DEE66A1A0E8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=STLtoday.com |publisher=Nl.newsbank.com |date=December 16, 2001 |access-date=September 16, 2012}} 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 ({{mlby|2001}}) and Shawn Chacón ({{mlby|2003}}). His 31 saves matched Dave Veres ({{mlby|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. Fuentes got his first career postseason win in Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS when the Rockies won the series against the Phillies in 3 games. The Rockies would eventually make it to the World Series for the first time in franchise history but lost to the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 World Series in just 4 games.

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3365232|title=Fuentes in, Corpas out after back-to-back blown saves|work=ESPN.com|date=April 24, 2008 }}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

Image:Brian Fuentes on June 23, 2009.jpg

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.{{cite web|url=http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730672&vkey=pr_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana|title=Angels agree to terms on two-year contract with free-agent left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes|work=Los Angeles Angels|access-date=December 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525211836/http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730672&vkey=pr_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana|archive-date=May 25, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} On July 5, 2009, Fuentes was elected to represent Anaheim in the 2009 All Star Game, at the time leading the majors in saves.

Fuentes led the major leagues in saves with 48 in 2009, despite a 3.93 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. 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.{{cite web |last=Sarris |first=Eno |title=Closer Controversy in Land of Angels? |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/closer-controversy-in-land-of-angels |date= September 15, 2009 |publisher=fangraphs.com }}{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=Dave |title=Fuentes Debunking Saves Singlehandedly|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/fuentes-debunking-saves-singlehandedly |date= September 17, 2009 |publisher=fangraphs.com }}

=Minnesota Twins=

On August 27, 2010, Fuentes was traded to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100827&content_id=14001218&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Twins acquire reliever Fuentes from Angels|work=Major League Baseball}} While Fuentes had been a closer with the Angels, he was expected to be a set-up man with the Twins.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/445082-twins-add-to-bullpen-trade-for-brian-fuentes|title=Brian Fuentes Traded To Minnesota Twins To Bolster Bullpen|author=Adam Bernacchio|work=Bleacher Report}} Nevertheless, Fuentes earned a save in his first outing with the Twins, a 1–0 win over the Seattle Mariners.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300828112|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426144950/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300828112|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2018|title=Brian Fuentes finishes two-hitter to earn 24th save in Twins' debut|work=ESPN.com}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On January 16, 2011, Fuentes reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Oakland Athletics.{{cite web|title=Lefty Fuentes agrees to two-year deal with A's|url=http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110116&content_id=16445984&vkey=news_oak&c_id=oak|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119141955/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110116&content_id=16445984&vkey=news_oak&c_id=oak|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2011|date=January 16, 2011|access-date=January 18, 2011|first=Jane|last=Lee|work=MLB.com}}

The A's Manager Bob Geren demoted him from the closing role once again in May 2011, reportedly due to performance issues.{{cite news|title=Geren under spotlight now|url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Geren-under-spotlight-now-2370531.php|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2011|first=John|last=Shea|newspaper=sfgate.com}}

In the same general timeframe, Fuentes made public statements critical Geren's management, as did former A's reliever Huston Street. Fuentes was designated for assignment on July 3, 2012, to clear a roster spot for returning pitcher Bartolo Colón. Fuentes was released from the Oakland Athletics on July 11, 2012.{{cite news|last=Gleeman|first=Aaron|title=A's release veteran reliever Brian Fuentes|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/11/as-release-veteran-reliever-brian-fuentes/|access-date=July 11, 2012|newspaper=NBC Sports: Hardball Talk|date=July 11, 2012}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

Fuentes signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on July 14, 2012. On July 25, 2012, Fuentes's contract was purchased from AA-Springfield. He replaced Victor Marte, who was optioned to Triple-A Memphis that same day.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120729211918/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120725&content_id=35562980¬ebook_id=35562982&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl Eager to contribute, Fuentes called up to Cards], MLB.com (July 25, 2012)

On August 14, 2012, Fuentes was placed on the Cardinals' restricted list after requesting time off for undisclosed personal reasons. He did not return during the 2012 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/cards-don-t-expect-fuentes-to-return/article_6bb49674-e638-11e1-812f-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Cards don't expect Fuentes to return|author=Lee Enterprises|work=stltoday.com}}

=Retirement=

On November 14, 2012, Fuentes told the Merced Sun-Star that he was retiring after twelve seasons in the Major Leagues.{{cite web|last=Kruth|first=Cash|url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121114&content_id=40291466&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118013136/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121114&content_id=40291466&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2012|title=Veteran reliever Fuentes elects to retire|publisher=MLB.com via St. Louis Cardinals website|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=November 15, 2012}} Said Fuentes: "Ultimately, I was just having trouble with the time away from my family. I've been playing baseball for all of their lives, but I'd never been so far away as when I was in St. Louis."{{cite web|last=Lynch|first=Sean|url=http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/11/14/2649856/merceds-fuentes-announces-retirement.html|title=Merced's Fuentes announces retirement|publisher=Merced Sun-Star via website|date=November 14, 2012|access-date=November 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117190930/http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/11/14/2649856/merceds-fuentes-announces-retirement.html|archive-date=November 17, 2012|url-status=dead}} Fuentes finished his career with an overall record of 26 wins, 43 losses and a career ERA of 3.62 with 204 saves. He was a four-time All-Star.

Pitching style

Fuentes' pitching delivery was a unique and sometimes confusing one, especially for left-handed hitters. He pitched sidearm, which was difficult for hitters to pick up and kept them off balance. Many batters, mainly left-handers, said the ball appeared to be coming out of the sleeve of his jersey. His fastball usually clocked between 89 and 92 miles per hour.

Personal life

Brian Fuentes has a wife (Barbara), his oldest son Giovanni, two fraternal twins, Benicio and Gabriella, and their youngest child Farrah.{{cite web|url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=150118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426004846/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=150118|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2007|title=Brian Fuentes Stats, Fantasy & News|work=Major League Baseball}}{{cite news| url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_6913712 | work=Denver Post | first=Patrick | last=Saunders | title=Young pitchers look like keepers for 2008 | date=September 17, 2007}}

Fuentes currently makes his offseason home in Merced, California. Fuentes comes from a Mexican American family.{{cite web|url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=3b2642696eb2ea042bf37b8cf0edbefd|title=New America Media|work=newamericamedia.org|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017024602/http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=3b2642696eb2ea042bf37b8cf0edbefd|archive-date=October 17, 2013|df=mdy-all}}