FanGraphs article on Johnny Cueto

[Eric_the_Red]

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/ind...homore-season/

His 3rd year will tell the tale of what type of pitcher he is destined to be, IMO.

[RedsManRick]

I think the comment regarding his being tired was pretty accurate. The decline in his average FB velocity and increase in SL velocity, while both minor, suggest that he was indeed a bit tired. There's no doubt that 2009 was not the step forward in performance we had all expected. However, I do think Cueto started to display increased maturity in his approach towards the end of the season, maintaining more of an even keel. I think coming in to 2010 fresh and with 2 years of experience on a major league mound under his belt will serve him quite well.

On fangraphs, I have him down for 195 IP and a 3.75 ERA and slight improvements in both his K/9 and BB/9.

[OnBaseMachine]

I think a lot of people forget Cueto was one of the best starters in the NL through the first three months last season. After his start on July 1st, Cueto had a 2.69 ERA in 103.2 innings pitched. Soon thereafter, he became a disaster in his following eight starts before going on the DL with what he described as a dead arm from pitching in Winter Ball/World Baseball Classic. After he returned from the DL on August 31, Cueto posted a 3.68 ERA in his final six starts (34.2 IP). Cueto was a well above average starter last season except for a stretch from early July to mid-August. I think the extra rest from not pitching Winter Ball is really going to benefit him in 2010.

I do agree that he should throw his changeup more. It's a nasty pitch when he throws it.