Lil Red Machine

So far this season, Johnny Cueto has been straight up dealing. The statistical line is fantastic: 3-1 record with a nice, shiny 1.59 ERA. Perhaps equally as impressive is his 8.1 k/9 innings. He has also shown good command of his repetoire, walking only 11 hitters in 39.2 innings pitched. That’s right in line with last year’s Cy Young award winner, Tim Lincecum.

People have been saying for a few years that he, of all their young pitching talent, has the most potential. He is starting to realize it. Pitching at Great American Ballpark, though will never help one’s home run allowed totals. He has that tendency to give up the long ball. Also, in the face of trouble, he still shows bouts of immaturity. He’s only 23 years old, so that ought to pass with time.

I hope he can keep it up, because if he can, if you put him with guys like Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez back-to-back-to back, that is a trio that few teams in the national league can compete with.