MLB 2012: A mixed bag of excitement and disappointment for Johnny Cueto
The Cincinnati Reds had envisioned an emphatically strong season this year, overcoming the rivals and winning glory by doing something extraordinary. Their vision was to break the stranglehold of the rivals – most importantly that of the St. Louis Cardinals since the latter had won the last year’s World Series title.
However, nothing of that sort materialised since calculations unfolded disastrously and culminated with falling flat. They were driven out of the National League Division Series by the San Francisco Giants just when all eyes were at the National League Division Series since the team had got a 2-0 lead initially.
Be that as it may, there were some players that the Reds wanted to do their bid – with effectiveness and success. The pitchers, for instance, were touted as the most valuable catalysts for the Reds, predicted and expected to reverse the tide for them this year. Things worked out; and worked out very well. Johnny Cueto was one such pitcher who was to alter things for them.
What commenced as an ostensibly promising season, Major League Baseball 2012 concluded with disappointment for the supremely talented Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Johnny Cueto. Aggressive, tactically flawless and unplayably fast, Cueto inspires admiration and nervousness simultaneously for the fans and rivals alike.
This Reds’ pitcher had sped his way into the rotation for the talent and effectiveness he displayed ever since his contract with the club. It was in 2008 that he made his debut. Gradually, and quite consistently, he was making his presence felt with the frustration he caused for the rivals with his pitching.
Not that he did not evince inconsistency at the inception of his career. He certainly did. However, progressively, he has been an asset for the Reds, bolstering Cincinnati's rotation and paving the way for more unrelenting and unbreakable encirclement/effective neutralisation of the rival offences with equally capable bullpen.
With four-seam fastball (averaging between 91 to 95), two-seam fastball that averages between 92 to 95 and slider that remains between 81 to 86, Cueto has emerged as one of the adept and brilliant pitchers in the National League.
He made most use of the variety of pitches and the techniques that he uses to unnerve the batters. 2012 was successful as far as the regular season was concerned. In 33 games, he had an astounding 19-9 record with 2.78 ERA in 217 innings that he pitched.
While statistically he was superior to any rival in the National League Central, it was in the postseason that the starter had to exit early because of the strained muscle in the back in the NLDS Game 1. With his departure, things went upside down for the Reds.
Cueto said, “When I was throwing, long toss, nothing happened, everything was feeling well ... As I went to the bullpen, I was warming up and everything went perfect. It was only on the last two throws when I felt a sharp pain on my right side. Then I was getting ready to go back to the dugout, I just went and talked to the head trainer and told him about ... he put some heat on it and we communicated to Bryan (Price) what happened.”
The year ended quite unceremoniously for the pitcher. So did for the Reds. In all likelihood, if he was there, the Reds might have had a different result to see. Nonetheless, it will have to be seen how Cueto makes his start in the upcoming season.
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