Johnny Cueto, Starting Pitcher, Miami Marlins
Date of Birth: 2/15/1986
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Johnny Cueto, starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins, started his professional career in 2005 in the Cincinnati Reds' minor league system. He pitched in the minors for three seasons before being called up to the Reds in 2008. He had a strong season in the minors in 2007, finishing the season with a 3.07 ERA and a 12-9 win-loss record.
Cueto had a 4.81 ERA with a 9-14 record in 31 games in 2008, his first season in the major leagues. The next year, he spent time on the DL, playing in 24 games with the Reds. He had a 9-5 record with a career low 2.31 ERA in 2011.
Cueto had a strong season in 2012 when he had a 2.78 ERA with 19 wins to 9 losses and 170 strikeouts to 49 walks in 217.0 innings pitched in 33 games. The next season he suffered from injuries and he pitched in just 11 games in 2013.
Cueto came back strong from his injuries, having his best season to date in 2014. He had a career low ERA of 2.25 and career highs in games played (34), innings pitched (243.2), wins (20 to 9 losses), and strikeouts (242 to 65 walks).
Cueto was traded to the Kansas City Royals on July 26, 2015. He finished the 2015 season with an 11-13 record, 176 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a 3.44 ERA in 212.0 innings in 19 games with the Reds and 13 games with the Royals. In postseason play, he pitched 25.0 innings and he gave up 17 hits, including 3 home runs, and 15 runs in 4 games. He struck out 19 batters and walked 10.
Cueto signed a six-year, $130 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 14, 2015. He had a strong first season with the Giants in 2016, finishing with a 2.79 ERA, 18 wins to 5 losses, and 198 strikeouts to 45 walks in 219.2 innings in 32 games. In the postseason, he had a 1.13 ERA in one game. He pitched 8.0 innings and he gave up just 3 hits and 1 run.
In 2017, Cueto had a 4.52 ERA in 25 games. He finished the season with 8 wins and 8 losses and 136 strikeouts to 53 walks in 147.1 innings.
Cueto's 2018 season ended on August 1st, when it was announced that he would have Tommy John surgery. He finished the season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 38 strikeouts to 13 walks, and a 3.23 ERA in 53.0 innings in 9 games with the Giants.
Cueto spent most of the 2019 season on the DL, recovering from Tommy John surgery. He pitched just 16.0 innings in 4 games.
Cueto pitched in 12 games in 2020. He finished the season with 2 wins and 3 losses, 56 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 5.40 ERA in 63.1 innings.
Cueto spent time on the IL in 2021. He finished the season with 7 wins and 7 losses, 98 strikeouts to 30 walks, and a 4.08 ERA in 114.2 innings in 22 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.
Cueto became a free agent on November 5, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on April 8, 2022.
Cueto became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Marlins on January 19, 2023.
Statistics for Cueto in twelve seasons (2008-2021) in the major leagues include:
- 7 seasons with 30 or more games, with a high of 34 in 2014
- 5 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 242 in 2014
- 5 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 2.25 in 2014
Career pitching statistics for Cueto through 2021 include:
- 330 games played
- 2,034.1 innings pitched
- 135-97 win-loss record
- 1,710 strikeouts to 586 walks
- 3.45 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Johnny Cueto
ESPN - Johnny Cueto