Scouting Report, RHP Johnny Cueto

The 24-year old Cueto is in his 3rd major league season, and has shown glimpses of domination (had a 2.69 ERA on July 1), but then also has landed on the DL each of the last two years. He's listed at 5'10" and people have questioned his durability (had back tightness this spring, hip and shoulder inflammation last year, elbow soreness in 2008).


He's a strikeout pitcher (7.5 k/9 career), and throws from a high 3/4s arm slot. He throws 91-95 mph and challenges hitters both inside (led league in 2008 in hits batters) and up in the zone. His best pitch is his late-biting slider (84-85 mph), which he throws 30% of the time. He also mixes in a change-up 8-10 times a game. He has a tendency to over throw and lose his command occasionally.


This year his strikeout rate is down (5.67 k/9), but it's still a small sample size, 27 innings and 5 starts. In the 5 starts, he has only pitched 6 innings twice (five innings the other three starts). He is 1-1 with a 5.33 ERA this year.

He is the 5th best Reds Talent under 26 years old as rated by Baseball Prospectus.