Padres Footnote Reymond Fuentes Brings Speed to Lake Elsinore Storm

As trades go, Reymond Fuentes’ name certainly wasn’t the big one.

The San Diego Padres were in a tight race for the National League pennant last year, missing it by only a single game. But then the blockbuster post-season trade happened: The Dec. 10 deal sent slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to Boston for right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly. The deal included first baseman Anthony Rizzo, and a player to be named later--Eric Patterson--along with Fuentes.

Fuentes was the footnote--albeit one with great potential, but just another guy in the deal. Kelly was the player the Padres desperately wanted.

But to Fuentes, who went from being buried deep in the Boston Red Sox organization to having a good shot at making it to the majors with the Padres, it was a blessing.

Fuentes, a 19-year-old centerfielder at the time of the trade, was in Puerto Rico when the deal was announced. When his friend called and broke the news, Fuentes did not take him seriously 

“I was back home with some friends,” said the Lake Elsinore Storm centerfielder. “I couldn’t believe it--I thought my friend was joking. Then my agent called, then the San Diego Padres called. I feel good about it. San Diego gives me a good opportunity to get to the big leagues.”

Considered one of the top prospects in the Padres organization, Baseball America lists Fuentes as the No. 4 prospect for the Padres. San Diego’s top centerfielders right now are Padres starter Cameron Maybin, Eric Patterson, and Donovan Tate, who was picked third overall in the 2009 MLB draft and given a team-record $6.7 million signing bonus by the Padres.

“He’s getting his hits,” Lake Elsinore manager Carlos Lezcano said of Fuentes. “He needs to work more on his on-base percentage, to get more walks in there, shorten his swing. He does have the tools to be there (the Majors). He reminds me of Johnny Damon with a better arm.”

Fuentes has high hopes of one day reaching the Major Leagues. He is listed on the Storm website at 6-foot, 160 pounds, is considered by some baseball websites as being three or four years away from the big leagues.

“When they make the decision is up to them,” Fuentes said.

Through May 13, Fuentes is hitting .305 with a .346 on-base percentage. He is second on the Storm in stolen bases with left fielder Rico Noel at nine -- sixth in the California League - and is second in runs with 17. He also has six doubles and two triples. 

Fuentes was drafted by Boston with the 28th overall selection in the 2009 MLB Draft.

“Some friends now say I’m like a ‘big star’ because of the trade,” Fuentes said. “It’s just business. It doesn’t matter who I get traded to, as long as I work hard and get better."

He is a prolific base stealer, and his speed is one of his best attributes both offensively and defensively. Last season, while playing with Greenville, the Red Sox’s Single-A club, Fuentes stole 42 bases in 47 attempts.

“You just have to have confidence in your legs,” Fuentes said. “Some pitchers like moving their front shoulders first, some like moving their foot. In stealing, catchers get better at throwing. I like to go on first movement. Some lefties are readers, they act like they’ll throw home, read you and if they see you’re about to go, then they can pick you off.”

Fuentes spent this past offseason as an invitee at a Major League spring training camp. He made the most of his one at-bat, singling off a Reds pitcher. And of course, it came on an infield single, allowing him to showcase his speed once more. That performance showed off Fuentes’ “80” speed, the highest in the scouting rankings.

“I hit a chopper to first,” Fuentes said. “I beat the pitcher to the base. I had a beautiful experience. I got to see how Major Leaguers prepare for the game, how patient they are at the plate, how they read pitches. I’ll work to be ready every day.”

Fuentes is also a cousin of Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran, one of the best players in the Majors in the 2000s.

“He taught me a lot about how to play the outfield,” Fuentes said. “It was a lot of fun.”

During the 2009 draft, Fuentes and his father, Pedro Fuentes and his mom, Olga Beltran, reserved the top floor at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. Born in Manati, P.R., Fuentes was the first Puerto Rican to be drafted by Boston in the first round of the MLB Draft, and the first opening-round pick from Puerto Rico since the Toronto Blue Jays chose outfielder Miguel Negron, who is currently playing with the Chicago White Sox. 

“It was surprising Boston picked me,” Fuentes said. “I was told by my agent I’d be a sandwich pick (between first and second rounds) or a second-round pick. I had good workouts with Detroit, the Los Angeles Angels and Texas. I did outstanding … I was very proud of being drafted.”

Noel has noticed Fuentes’ talents.

“We play a lot of good defense,” Noel said. “He’s definitely an above-average center fielder. He has some speed, he’s been using it.”