Johnny Cueto, whom the San Francisco Giants acquired last winter, is the hands-down best free-agent signing thus far in 2016. Yesterday, he won his tenth game and reduced his season ERA to 2.10, which would actually be about half that total if you subtracted the five-run innings he suffered on two occasions in April and May. In other words, he is now a guaranteed win on the Giants’ schedule unless the other pitcher throws a shutout.
Statistics only tell a part of the story with Cueto. He has a standard repertoire of pitches for a starter—multiple types of fastballs, cutters, sliders, and changeups—but his most effective weapon may his idiosyncratic pitching motions. While most major league pitchers try for consistency in their motions in order to keep control of their pitches and not tip them to the batter, Cueto rarely gives hitters the same motion twice in a row, including a quick pitch, a variety of mid-motion shimmies (you heard correctly) and a full-windup where he turns his back completely to the hitter in a manner reminiscent of Boston Red Sox great Luis Tiant. Add to that a massive head of dreadlocks and the plainly visible joy with which he bounces around the field, and you have perhaps the most compelling individual argument for purchasing a Giants ticket since Barry Bonds regularly hit balls into the bay.
Fortunately, his team is rolling right along with him, having won their last five games in a row and opened a six-game lead against the Dodgers in the NL West. Yesterday’s game was the first time the Giants have scored in double digits when I was in the house. The Milwaukee Brewers, by committing four errors, did much to help the Giants in this regard, but it was still a unaccustomed pleasure to see the Giants win a game devoid of tension, firmly in control from the first pitch to the last. It was also a pleasure to sit next to a man from The Netherlands on a tour of the States. I explained, when needed, the finer points of what transpired on the field and otherwise did everything I could to introduce him to Giants baseball. One should always bear witness to the true religion when an opportunity arises.
– Chuck Strom
All photos, Chuck Strom.
