Go, Johnny, go: A closer look at Cueto

If you didn't know who Johnny Cueto was before this season, you certainly do now.

I first alerted you to Cueto back in February when I checked him out at spring training, though I never thought he'd make this kind of impact this fast. In fact, I figured Homer Bailey, the Reds' much more heralded pitching prodigy, would be a better fantasy bet this year. Turns out Cueto had other plans, putting together an impressive spring and making the big league rotation while Bailey was sent down to the farm.

Cueto continued to turn heads with a 10-strikeout debut, and he followed that up with eight Ks on Tuesday night. And he hasn't walked a batter. The 22-year-old righty is now 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA and 0.45 WHIP. And chances are he's already been scooped up in all but the shallowest of leagues by now.

There's a lot to like about this kid. He's had a good amount of minor league seasoning so far and was the franchise's minor league pitcher of the year the past two seasons. In 2007, splitting time between Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A, Cueto fanned 170 batters in 161 innings while walking just 34. He's shown that same command in the majors while reaching 96 mph with his fastball.

There's also some cause for concern here. Cueto can't possibly keep up this pace. The strikeouts might keep coming, but I can assure you he's eventually going to walk someone. His manager, Dusty Baker, doesn't exactly have a great history of handling young pitchers' arms. He's not the biggest guy, either (5-10, 185) for such a hard thrower. And about half of Cueto's starts this year will come at Great American Ball Park, site of the second most home runs per game last season.

The concerns are legit, but they're not dealbreakers. In short, Cueto has to be owned in all leagues, and he's a guy you keep riding until there are some trouble signs. Right now, he's on track to be this year's Francisco Liriano, a real fantasy difference-maker.

And he could really use a nickname.

Photo by The Associated Press.

Reds loaded with fantasy prospects

SARASOTA - Fantasy players on the prowl for young talent might want to drop by Ed Smith Stadium some time in the next month or so.

There's a whole host of prospects on display at the Cincinnati Reds' spring training complex, and you'd be wise to familiarize yourself with the names of some players who could make a big fantasy impact this year.

Start with outfielder Jay Bruce (above), Baseball America's 2007 Minor League Player of the Year. Bruce's skills at the plate have been favorably compared to Larry Walker, and he's a strong candidate to win the Reds' starting CF job at just 20 years of age.

New Reds manager Dusty Baker got his first live glimpse of Bruce's swing Wednesday during the team's first full-squad workout and came away impressed.

"He has a very good stroke," Baker told the Reds' team Web site. "He comes through the zone with good balance, keeps his head still and down. Talking to him, he's very confident he can hit without being arrogant. That's the first thing you like to see in a young hitter."

Bruce doesn't have the speed of a prototypical leadoff hitter, which is a slot the team is looking to fill at the same time as its open CF spot. Kenny Lofton's name has popped up as a possible acquisition, which would probably keep Bruce in Triple-A to start the year. Still, you'll want to keep track of how he progresses this spring and if he can win over Baker and Reds management. It won't be long before Bruce breaks through at the big-league level, so I advise you to get in on the ground floor.

Another young infielder to keep tabs on is Joey Votto, who appears to be in line to take over the majority of playing time at 1B from Scott Hatteberg this season. Votto flashed his skills in a brief big-league stint last year - .321, four HRs, 17 RBIs in 84 at-bats - and could be an overlooked source of power in deep leagues in 2008.

The Reds aren't without pitching prospects, either. You've probably heard the name Homer Bailey, a much-heralded, 21-year-old righty who made his debut last season. Things didn't go quite as expected in Bailey's rookie year (4-2, 5.76 ERA, 1.57 WHIP in 45.1 innings), but that's no reason to give up on the kid so soon. Bailey is a lock for the Reds' starting rotation, probably as the No. 3, and will be given every opportunity to show off the repertoire that led some scouts to place him on par with the Yankees' Phil Hughes.

Two other young pitchers to watch: 24-year-old Edinson Volquez, acquired in the Josh Hamilton deal and once the Texas Rangers' top minor league pitcher, and Johnny Cueto, a 22-year-old rookie with an outside shot at making the big-league roster out of spring training.