Colorado Rockies: Josh Fuentes discusses rise during 2020 season

Josh Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies recently joined the Officially Unofficial podcast to discuss his rise in 2020 from the satellite camp to everyday first baseman.

There is no question that Josh Fuentes elevated himself during the 2020 season. After not even getting a plate appearance for the Colorado Rockies until August 20, the soon-to-be 28-year-old Fuentes ended up posting 1.1 WAR for the Rockies and earning regular playing time. Fuentes played 26 games at first base, six games at third base, and two in the outfield. He supplanted Daniel Murphy as the team’s regular first baseman for much of September and ended up slashing .383/.367/.511 at Coors Field.

During the Officially Unofficial podcast episode, Fuentes discussed plenty about the 2020 campaign, including what it meant for him to rise from the satellite camp to playing every day.

"“That was a grind,” Fuentes said of the everyday work put in at the alternate camp site. “It was insane to get from there to start playing, and then start playing every day was so special.”"

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Fuentes hit his first home run of the season on September 6 in a 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. His two-run homer to left off Dodgers starter Julio Urias helped the Rockies to one of the biggest September highlights for the franchise. The Sunday road win not only helped the Rockies even their record at 20-20 but also helped the Rockies win two of three games from the Dodgers in the series, marking the only time in 2020 that Los Angeles lost a series.

"“When I hit that ball, I didn’t pimp it or nothing,” Fuentes recalled of hitting a homer at Dodger Stadium. “I just kind of put my bat down. I was slowly jogging and, as I was rounding first, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m rounding the bags. I’m circling the pillows.”"

Fuentes, who says in the podcast he grew up as a San Francisco Giants fan, has plenty more to talk about in the podcast, which lasts just under an hour. You can listen to it by clicking here.