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Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds is rapidly proving to be one of baseball's most promising rookies with 18 strikeouts in only 18 innings.
Now the debate.
Will Cueto go on to have a better rookie season then Francsico Liriano did?
Please post your comments and discuss.
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2 months ago
Definitely gets my pick of the day vote.
from 2 months ago
Thanks.
2 months ago
I think the big difference is that Cueto is right-handed. Lefties are harder to hit for most players, so I'm inclined to say that Liriano's number will be a little better. If Cueto can stay healthy though, he'll certainly make the same type of impact that Liriano did in 2006.
2 months ago
Liriano's rookie year was remarkable. I'd say he gets the nod.
2 months ago
We should keep in mind that Cueto has only been dominant for a month. Liriano was for almost a full season and dominant to the point where he overshadowed the best pitcher in baseball - who was on his pitching staff.
It's going to be a bit before he fully rebounds from his shoulder surgery, but when he does...watch out.
2 months ago
Cueto pitches at the Great American Bandbox, so that won't help him. He doesn't have Liriano's size or stuff, and he's a righty. I'd be surprised if he ever puts up a year as good as Liriano's '06.
2 months ago
Liriano started the 2006 season in the bullpen with a 3.22 earn run average and then went into the starting rotation until the end of April. When he was a starter he posted an extremely low 1.92 era. The reason Liriano is the better of the two is because of his "stuff." He would throw an extremely high 88-91 mph sweeping slider that will get in on right handed batters and away from lefties with such movement on it. And his constantly 97-94 mph fastball will keep them off guard. Once in a while he will throw in a below average changeup. He was consistent with righties and lefties the same in terms of batting average with a .202 rh and .206 lh respectively. The right handed batters had a little higher slugging pct. because they would get hold of one of his fastballs once in a while. Eight of his nine homers came off of right handers. But the reason why Cueto might have a better rookie season is because of the fact he will hopefully have full healthy season unlike Liriano who had to leave because of his shoulder and elbow problems from throwing way to many sliders. Unfortunately Liriano is now throwing his fastball 90-88 with horrible control. Sorry I'm a huge twins fan, but Cueto has A stuff, but not the A+ slider that Liriano had.
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