Jonny
Cuevas

2021 MLB Draft: Cuevas came to Southern Nevada as a two-way player, but converted to a pitcher only. A 32nd-round Brewers draft pick out of a SoCal high school in 2018, he pitched in the mid to upper 80s and was 6-foot-1, 185 pounds when he arrived. Now 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, his velo has steadily ticked up to 93, with some 94s early in the spring. The delivery is clean and he repeats it well. He carries his hands at his chest and gives a simple turn to pivot, lifting into a high kick, driving into his legs and using the slope of the mound to get downhill and drive the fastball down in the zone. The arm stroke is clean and works properly. His 80-81 mph curveball has top to bottom depth with tight spin and late bite when right. He has above-average feel for an 83-84 mph changeup and sinks it below bats for steady ground balls. A Cal State Fullerton recruit, he shows polish that could carry him quickly through a minor league system.

Cuevas came to CSN as a two way player and may still provide that, however with a deep staff and hitters to carry the load, I see pitching only with him moving forward. A former late round Brewers draft out of a SoCal HS in 2018, Johnny pitched in the mid to upper 80’s and was 6-1 185  when he arrived. Now 603 200, his velo as he has filled out and grown, has steadily ticked up to 93, with some 94’s early last spring. The delivery is clean and he repeats. Carries his hands at the chest, and gives a simple turn to pivot and lifts to a flexible abdomen high kick and drives into his legs and uses the slope of the mound, in getting downhill to drive the FB down in the zone. The arm stroke is clean and works properly. Features a FB 90-93 T94 with some straight 4 seam life. The CB 80-81 has top to bottom tight spinning depth with late bite when right. The CH 83-84 has abv feel to land and sinks below bats for steady GB’s. Reminds of former MLB RHP-Kyle Lohse and shows polish and could move quick thru a system.  (Scholzen)

6-foot-3, 200 pounds, is a converted shortstop who has settled into his new role on the mound and has shown tremendous upside with velocity jumps coming through as he continues to clean up his mechanics. Last year as a freshman, he sat 89-92 mph with flashes of 94 mph, relying mostly on his athleticism throughout his delivery. This fall and the shortened spring season, he confidently displayed a more polished, consistent delivery with his fastball sitting 92-93 mph with cut action while being able to bump 94 when he needed to. His go to secondary pitch is his breaking ball with 11/5 shape that he can locate in the zone ranging from 80-83 mph and his straight changeup is continuing to show signs of life with some fade and sink. In the shortened JUCO season, Cuevas earned a 1.26 ERA, going 5-0 record while striking out 32 in his 28.2 innings of work. He is a budding prospect that is developing at an impressive rate should continue doing so in the coming years. (Harrison)

10/17/19Cuevas is a sophomore righty who sits 90-94 mph with his fastball. “Cuevas is a fast twitch two-way guy who brings competitive fire every time he steps on the field.” Three pitch guy (fastball, slider, and straight change) with tremendous upside who is still learning how to pitch and be a pitcher. Johnny went 7-2 last year with a 3.98 ERA in 13 starts with a .204 B/Avg against. Originally coming to CSN as a shortstop, he was converted to be a 1B to protect his arm for the mound where he has shown plus hands and feel for his new position proving it’s always nice to have a shortstop at every position in the infield. He also had himself a great year at the plate hitting .300 last year with 3 homeruns, a team best 13 doubles and drove in 45 runs for the Coyotes. (Harrison)