Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Cueto Standing Tall as Team's Ace

After four years in the big leagues, Johnny Cueto has finally arrived as the ace of the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff. 

The hard-throwing right hander who had so much potential when the Reds signed him nine years ago at the age of 16, is living up to the unlimited talent he possesses. 

Cueto began the season on the disabled list, but since returning on May 8, has been lights out. 

His 5-2 record does not even begin to describe how dominant he has been in his nine starts this season. His 1.63 ERA does. 

Cueto has amassed eight quality starts and has not allowed more than three runs in a game all season. 

Over his past five starts, he has totaled 36 innings and only allowed only six runs. The league is only hitting .193 against him and he has struck out 42 while allowing only 18 walks. These numbers are a marked improvement from the Cueto in years past. 

While how successful he has been this season may be a bit of a surprise, many knew he had the potential to be this good. 

Since breaking into the Reds rotation in 2008, Cueto has steadily improved every season.

As a young 22-year-old rookie, Cueto won nine games with a 4.81 ERA in 31 starts. 

In 2009, his second season in the big leagues he won 11 games and improved his ERA to 4.41. 

Last season, he really made strides, going 12-7 and finishing the season with a 3.64 ERA. 

This year he is following in the same pattern and while he has only made nine starts, it seems we may see this dominance for years to come with Cueto. 

While his 95-96 MPH fastball are still there from seasons past, Cueto seems more determined on the mound this season. He has developed a bulldog mentality and never gives in to a hitter. 

His devastating off-speed pitches make him as unhittable as nearly any pitcher in the league. 

He has slightly altered his delivery and that has resulted in a groundball-flyball ratio of 1.43 compared to .79 last season. 

Cueto has only allowed four home runs in 60.2 innings. Those numbers are a far cry from his first three seasons. 

After last season the Reds signed Cueto to a four-year, $27 million contract extension.

While some players can get complacent after a big deal, Cueto feels obligated to fulfill his contract and play for a bigger payout down the road. 

As of right now he is certainly living up to that contract and is the stopper of the Reds rotation. 

The Reds pitching staff has not seen numbers like this in ages and with the exception of Aaron Harang over a four-year span 10 years ago, Cincinnati has not had a true ace in nearly two decades. 

Cueto is providing them with just that and has almost single-handedly helped keep Cincinnati within striking distance of Milwaukee and St. Louis. 

While he only stands 5'10", Cueto has been large on the mound this season for the Reds and has given the Reds a bona fide ace, not only for this season, but for many years to come.