Reds' Cueto dazzles in debut

You've heard all the hype about Reds phenom pitcher Johnny Cueto.

On Thursday afternoon, it was the Diamondbacks feeling the buzz.

In his major league debut, Cueto, throwing 96-mph heat, struck out 10, walked none and gave up just 1 hit - a Justin Upton HR. Shock waves from the Cincinnati epicenter are currently rippling through fantasy leagues all over the country today.

Expectedly, the comparisons are flying.

Orlando Hudson and Ken Griffey Jr. say he resembles a young Pedro Martinez. And why not, as the 5-foot-10 pitcher from the Domincan Republic has the track record to back it up. Cueto breezed through three years of minor-league ball, racking up a 3.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and over a K an inning.

“The guys on the bench were saying they haven’t seen anything like this in a long time,” manager Dusty Baker told the Associated Press. “I guess it’s something they’ve never seen, and there’s a lot they still haven’t seen from this young man.”

Check out Cueto during a perfect second inning, fanning Eric Byrnes and Mark Reynolds.




Given Baker's track record with young pitchers, Reds fans are just hoping they see Cueto finish the season healthy. It's no secret some Cubs fans are still blaming Baker for any and all injuries between Mark Prior and Kerry Wood after those two finished the 2003 season No. 1 and 2 in pitches thrown.

I'm sure talk radio around Cincy is already speculating when Cueto's first 130-pitch game will be and the first subsequent report of a twinge in his arm.

But don't let this keep you from buying Cueto stock. It goes without saying, if he's still on your waiver wire today, you're either in a very winnable league or everyone was sleeping yesterday. Go hit the button right now. And if you're in a waiver league, he's more than worthy of using a top claim.

There will be some speed bumps. Think back to the last couple years of guys with this kind of hype. The Phillies' Cole Hamels and the Giants' Tim Lincecum both struggled mightily after early success.

But neither had a debut like this. Cueto is just the third MLB pitcher to strike out 10 and allow 1 hit in his debut and the first since 1900 to record 10 Ks and 0 BB in his first game.

We're only three games in, but it's a great time to be a Reds fan.

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