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PL Grand Junction Jackalopes

Within an Ace

July 1, 2022 - Pioneer League (PL)
Grand Junction Jackalopes News Release


Izzy Fuentes lets out a yell as he flexes and springs over the foul line. He continues to yell as he smacks his chest repeatedly and points to Joe Johnson, whose stretch up the first base line just preserved a double play getting Fuentes out of what was once a no outs bases loaded jam. A fired-up pitcher coming off the mound after getting a big out is nothing new, but for Fuentes, this release of tension didn't just encompass the inning or the game but an entire season's worth of built-up pressure.

Following a successful first season in Grand Junction, the expectation was that Fuentes would be the Rockies ace in 2022.

"After coming back after what he did last year. In my mind, Izzy was our clear number one," Rockies manager Bobby Jenks said.

To become an ace, you must have a track record of success. The problem is once you become one, you have to keep proving it. For Izzy Fuentes, that part of the equation was in doubt. On Opening Night, he gave up eight runs to the Ogden Raptors in just two innings and was pulled from the game. It didn't get better. Next time out against Idaho Falls, Fuentes managed to go four, but the Chukars scored 10. Through his first two starts of the season, the Rockie ace's ERA was 27.00.

"I think being away from the game during the offseason. I don't think I was ready enough," Fuentes said. "I was ready [physically]... but mentally... I had to prepare myself for the crowd, and the away trips...playing Ogden. It came up fast, and next thing you know..."

Things improved a bit in the first home series. Fuentes pitched twice and allowed five runs across eight innings of work. Still hardly ace material, though.

After another bad start in Northern Colorado, things had started to spiral a bit.

" You have those rough starts at the beginning of the season... this is a job, man," Fuentes said. "It's a privilege to be here. It's professional ball. If I don't perform... That's where you have to dig down and turn it around."

A sign that he might be beginning to do just that came on June 25th in a start against the first place Ogden Raptors. Fuentes went six innings and allowed two runs in his first truly good start. It takes two to make a pattern, though. So all eyes were on what version of Izzy Fuentes would take the mound last night against the NOCO Owlz.

The first three innings went smoothly. Fuentes allowed a few runners, but none scored. Then the rain came. A 30-minute rain delay followed. Once play resumed, he continued, working a clean fourth.

It was in the fifth when the trouble started. A walk and two singles loaded the bases with no outs, and the good part of the order due up to bat. At this moment, Fuentes stood between the pitcher he was and the ace he had been and could become again.

"Knowing him from last year and this year. Regardless of how the outing is going, I know he wants the ball." Jenks said. "So I went out there, and I wanted to see that look. I got the look I needed."

Fuentes struck out Cameron Phelts to get the first out. On the next pitch, he rolled a ground ball. Alex Neilson, Shawn Ross and Joe Johnson turned it into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

"At that point, all you can do is trust the guy with the ball." Jenks said," and at the moment, I trusted him with the ball."

As he exits into the first base dugout, Izzy Fuentes no longer stands between. He is an ace.

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