Johnny Cueto.......

[REDblooded]

This is for the guys on here that have seen more than just the stats on Cueto. What would you say his ceiling is, and what's his basement? Compare him to a recent major leaguer in relation to both ends of the spectrum.

[jfleur87]

if he's a smaller, all out type pitcher, i'd like to think he compares to roy oswalt, but that could just be wishful thinking

[paulrichjr]

He reminds me of Pedro Martinez when he was good. Seriously.

[Superdude]

He reminds me of Pedro Martinez when he was good. Seriously.

Seriously? I'm all for being optimistic, but Pedro was completely off the charts stupid dominant when he was "good".

[BucksandReds]

Does Cueto project to be a #1 starter? I thought that he had #2 potential

[OnBaseMachine]

Originally Posted by BucksandReds

Does Cueto project to be a #1 starter? I thought that he had #2 potential

I think he's a #1a or a great number two. His stuff is electric and he has command of three plus or above average pitches. Maybe another Mario Soto?

[paulrichjr]

Originally Posted by Superdude

Seriously? I'm all for being optimistic, but Pedro was completely off the charts stupid dominant when he was "good".

No I wasn't serious. Hence the praying face. I was trying to have faith. That being said...He is the same height and does have a really nice fastball. I do think it is interesting that one of Pedro's best pitches is his circle change. A circle change just happens to be taught very well by a guy who use to put on a Reds uni back in the 80s. Put Cueto and his 96 mile an hour fastball with a Mario Soto circle change and we might just have a poor man's Pedro Martinez. I'm dreaming but hey it could happen...

(note: After watching Cueto this week I would say that he dominates AA baseball but he has the same disease that Homer had. He didn't seem to use his offspeed very much. He would just keep dialing it up trying to blow it by a guy. It works in AA but I'm not so sure what success he will have early on with that strategy.)

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by paulrichjr

No I wasn't serious. Hence the praying face. I was trying to have faith. That being said...He is the same height and does have a really nice fastball. I do think it is interesting that one of Pedro's best pitches is his circle change. A circle change just happens to be taught very well by a guy who use to put on a Reds uni back in the 80s. Put Cueto and his 96 mile an hour fastball with a Mario Soto circle change and we might just have a poor man's Pedro Martinez. I'm dreaming but hey it could happen...

(note: After watching Cueto this week I would say that he dominates AA baseball but he has the same disease that Homer had. He didn't seem to use his offspeed very much. He would just keep dialing it up trying to blow it by a guy. It works in AA but I'm not so sure what success he will have early on with that strategy.)

To be fair, I listened to that game.... The announcers were commenting how much he was unlike himself in that he was throwing so many fastballs. You just went to a bad game in terms of him mixing things up.

[fearofpopvol1]

I'd just be concerned about his frame. It seems like guys that size typically throw their arm out at some point and need surgery (something Pedro can attest to).

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

I'd just be concerned about his frame. It seems like guys that size typically throw their arm out at some point and need surgery (something Pedro can attest to).

IIRC Pedro had very few arm related injuries until later in his career. Lately he has been saddled with them but he isn't a spring chicken anymore. Being able to throw heat is a god given thing. If you are taller it gives you an advantage but there are very few things you can do to add velocity. Its like your vertical leap. You can do your best to improve it but people how can jump can, people who can throw 95 mph heat can.

[RedsManRick]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

I'd just be concerned about his frame. It seems like guys that size typically throw their arm out at some point and need surgery (something Pedro can attest to).

I wonder how much that's just a perception. I mean, you could use any category of pitcher and that statement would still be pretty darn accurate.

[dougdirt]

I dont remember who it was that did the study, but I think it may have been THT, but it showed that short pitchers isn't really the problem, as it is more likely the skinny pitchers who break down as they get older.

[GoReds33]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

I dont remember who it was that did the study, but I think it may have been THT, but it showed that short pitchers isn't really the problem, as it is more likely the skinny pitchers who break down as they get older.

He is pretty skinny too. He's got both risk factors. That isn't a good sign.

[dougdirt]

Being short is not a risk factor.

[Superdude]

He is pretty skinny too.

5'10"/200 is definitely not skinny.