Earlier today, Kevin Goldstein put 18-year-old outfielder Reymond Fuentes on Massive Helium Watch. A couple of hours ago, the Red Sox made the toolsy native of Puerto Rico a first-round pick, surprising many draft watchers by selecting him 28th overall. Fuentes, who moved from Florida to Puerto Rico at the age of nine, fielded questions from the media during a conference call this evening.
On if he expected to be drafted by the Red Sox: “I didn’t know I was going to get picked by Boston, but I’m very excited.”
On which teams he met with before the draft: ”I met with Texas; I met with Detroit; I met with Arizona. I think those are the only ones.”
On the number of scouts who saw him in Puerto Rico: “There were very few. There were a little bit of scouts, but when they passed by and my name was heard from scouts who recommended me to other scouts, I saw a big change. There were a lot scouts going to my games then.”
On being a first-round pick from Puerto Rico: “Being a first-round [pick] from Puerto Rico is amazing. I think the last one was Alex Rios. But I’m very excited. I thank God every day for giving me the tools that I need to be a first rounder.”
On his relationship with Carlos Beltran: “He’s my cousin. Him and me are very close. When I got drafted by Boston, he was playing in New York, and I don’t know what inning he got out, but he called me when he wasn’t playing and was telling me congratulations. He gave me a lot of advice. We are very close.”
On how he would describe his game: “When I play, I get very focused and do what I have to do. I don’t pay any mind to anything outside the game. I just play ball. I consider myself very similar to Carlos, because when he plays, he just plays the game, and nothing else.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “My strength is my legs. I’m very fast. The only thing is my throwing mechanics. That’s the only thing I think I have to work on. The other things I do need to work on, but not as much as the throwing mechanics.”
On when he realized that his speed was a real asset: “When I had to sacrifice bunt, I would put down the bunt and start running, and it was not too often that they could get me out. And when I am on defense, I have good range and can cover a lot of space in the outfield.”
On his weight: “Right now I’m 165 and am working on gaining a lot. I’m eating healthily. But I practice every day, and I sweat every day, and I think it’s because of that. I feel good and I feel strong, but I want to gain more pounds.”
On hitting for power: “If I have to go to left field, I bat to left field. If I have to go to center field, I go to center field. But if I find the ball inside and I do a good swing, I know it’s going to be over the fence. I’m thin, but I’m strong. I mean, I have a hidden power. But my game is let the ball in and start running.”
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