Through two games, Johnny Cueto looks like a different pitcher than we saw in 2017. Coming off his worst year as a pro after posting a 4.52 ERA, Cueto has been nearly flawless in his first two starts of 2018, allowing just one run in 13 innings of work.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow joined Murph & Mac on Friday morning, and explained how Cueto’s preparation this spring has been the difference so far this year.
“If you watched him put together this year in spring training; he got down to camp and he meticulously put together his fastball,” Krukow said. “Once that was established he put together the breaking ball, and then the changeup. Everything kind’ve came in place, in time, and when the bell rang he was ready to go.
“The year before, he got there late…and then when he got in he kind’ve rushed it, he blistered up, and the blisters were problematic for him all year, he kind’ve had to go around that. He just didn’t have the same luxury of getting ready in time like he had in previous years and it affected his whole season.”
Cueto missed a good chunk of spring training last season, staying in the Dominican Republic to tend to his ailing father. This year, Cueto was able to report on day one, and Krukow expects the two time All-Star to put one of his best seasons together in 2018.
“He was steady with how he got himself together. I think the difference is monumental. He’s got everything at his beck and call. His fastball, changeup combination is unbelievable, and this is the best breaking ball we’ve seen him have for two years. His slider is tight again, he’s got full command of it. He’s jamming them on the hands when he flashes out that cutter. I think he’s pitching much better to lefties than he did at anytime last year.
“So I expect this guy is going to have a great year.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Krukow on Cueto, start from 8:30.