Johnny Cueto Stats & Scouting Report

IP	3
ERA	3
WHIP	1
BB/9	0
SO/9	12

Full name Johnny Cueto
Born 02/15/1986 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 229 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 04/03/2008

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Cueto was the first player signed out of the Dominican Republic after Cincinnati reworked its international scouting department in 2004. Thanks in part to working with former Reds star Mario Soto, Cueto hasn't taken long to become one of the system's gems. Cueto pitches like a 10-year major league veteran, not a fresh-faced 21-year-old. He features a 93-94 mph fastball that touches 96, a tight 83-88 mph slider and a solid changeup that he learned from Soto. His makeup is impeccable, which is why the Reds have felt comfortable keeping him on the fast track. Cueto has above-average control but he sometimes struggles with command in the strike zone. He found in his brief exposure to Triple-A that more advanced hitters will punish pitches up in the strike zone, even 94-mph fastballs. The Reds plan on acquiring a veteran starter this offseason, which would leave Cueto without a clear spot in the rotation. He could bide his time waiting for an opening by helping out the Cincinnati bullpen.
Cueto was the first player the Reds signed in the Dominican after revitalizing their nearly dormant Latin American scouting program. In his first extended taste of full-season ball, he went 15-3, 3.00 and allowed just one run in his final 30 innings in high Class A. The 5-foot-10, 192- pounder doesn't look like he has a big arm, but Cueto throws a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96 mph. He does so with a relatively free and easy high three-quarters delivery, and he commands his heat to both sides of the plate. During spring training, former Reds ace Mario Soto taught Cueto a changeup that quickly became a major league average pitch with tailing life. He also throws a slider that overmatches hitters at times. Cueto's size doesn't lend itself to durability, but Cincinnati believes he'll be able to remain a starter. He has long arms that give him good leverage, so he doesn't wear himself out by throwing hard. He needs to get more consistent with his secondary pitches. While he likes to challenge hitters up in the zone, that won't work as well at higher levels. He could open 2007 in Double-A at age 21.

Minor League Top Prospects

While Davis towers over hitters at 6-foot-5, Cueto doesn't look intimidating when he steps on the mound. In fact, at 5-foot-10, he looks like the average command/deception righthander who has to baffle hitters with offspeed stuff. But when his fastball comes out of his hand, it's clear that he's a power pitcher. With a free and easy delivery, Cueto unleashes 93-94 mph fastballs and he can reach back to touch 96-97. Just as important, his slider and changeup are potential plus pitches that he's comfortable throwing when he's behind in the count. His command also is advanced for his age, as he comfortable locating to both sides of the plate and has no problems busting hitters inside. Though he doesn't have an ideal frame, his pitches and his mechanics allow him to project as a No. 2 or 3 starter. Cueto is a more refined pitcher than Homer Bailey, who stopped back by Sarasota on a rehab stint, and his stuff doesn't lag far behind Bailey's.
Two years removed from Rookie ball, Cueto climbed from high Class A to Triple-A this season, dealing all the way. The 21-year-old compiled a jaw-dropping 170-34 strikeout-walk ratio in 161 innings, including a career-high 13-whiff performance against Carolina in his second SL start. "You see a lot of Latin kids with real good arms, and he's got a good arm," a third AL scout said. "But the thing with him is he had plus control and average command." Cueto pounds the zone with a 91-95 mph fastball and an 82-89 mph slider. His arm action is quick and relatively clean. He powers through his slider, giving it cutting action without depth, but its tight spin provides deception even when it lacks a defined shape. He keeps lefties at bay by using his changeup and pitching inside.
When Cueto walked to the mound, he looked like the kind of tiny righthander who survives on guile and a feel for pitching. But when the ball came out of his hand, the 5-foot-11, 174-pounder quickly dispelled any concerns about his stuff. Cueto's velocity picked up as the season went along, and during an extremely impressive finish to the season he pitched at anywhere from 93-97 mph, sitting at 95 at times with an effortless delivery and a quick arm. During his final five starts, he allowed only one run and 17 hits, striking out 27 and walking five. In addition to his fastball, Cueto has a tight slider that drops as it approaches the plate. "All of his pitches have late life," Boles said. "His stuff plays in the zone. Guys don't get quality swings on him." Despite his impressive stuff, there's some thought that Cueto could end up in the bullpen because of his small frame. However he did sustain his stuff throughout the season and was more impressive in the FSL than he had been in low Class A.
He wasn't quite the second coming of Homer Bailey, but Cueto gave Dayton a live-armed righthander to build its rotation around for the second straight year. While Bailey was making a case for being the best pitching prospect in the minors, Cueto was exceeding Bailey's 2005 performance in the MWL. Cueto stands just 5-foot-11, but scouts believe he has a chance to make it as a starter because he has athleticism, long arms and a stress-free delivery that allow him to throw 88-95 mph fastballs that explode on hitters. He maintains his velocity deep into games, and at times his mid-80s slider is outstanding. He's aggressive and throws quality strikes. In order to stay in the rotation, Cueto will need to get more consistent with his changeup and develop more feel and command with it. He likes to work high in the strike zone, which he won't be able to get away with as often at higher levels.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Control in the Cincinnati Reds in 2008
Rated Best Slider in the Cincinnati Reds in 2008
Rated Best Control in the Cincinnati Reds in 2007
Rated Best Slider in the Cincinnati Reds in 2007

Career Transactions

RHP Johnny Cueto assigned to Round Rock Express from ACL Rangers.
RHP Johnny Cueto assigned to ACL Rangers.
ACL Rangers activated RHP Johnny Cueto.
Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Johnny Cueto to a minor league contract.
Miami Marlins activated RHP Johnny Cueto from the 60-day injured list.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Miami Marlins placed RHP Johnny Cueto on the 60-day injured list. Right biceps tightness.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins sent RHP Johnny Cueto on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins placed RHP Johnny Cueto on the 15-day injured list. Right biceps tightness.
Dominican Republic activated RHP Johnny Cueto.
Miami Marlins signed free agent RHP Johnny Cueto.

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