The automatic strike zone is something that has been explored by Major League Baseball in recent years.
Some believe that it may help speed up the game and that it would be a good way to make certain that ball and strike calls are correct.
Chicago White Sox pitcher Johnny Cueto, who was signed to a minor league deal after the Lance Lynn injury, recently pitched down in Triple-A Charlotte.
The automatic strike zone is being used in the minor leagues this year.
Veteran reliever Joe Kelly has been recovering from an injury down in Triple-A and took note of Cueto’s progress, as seen in the tweet below.
White Sox Reliever Joe Kelly on Johnny Cueto pitching at Triple-A: “When I watch him pitch with the automatic strike zone, pfffft, good luck. He could dot. Some umpires give up on the way his balls move…..They weren’t ready for Johnny.”
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 10, 2022
Cueto Progressing
Cueto hasn’t been the ace he once was in quite some time and has not been the same.
But the White Sox signed him to plug a hole and so far, it looks as if things are humming along quite nicely for him.
Kelly certainly thinks so.
Cueto went 7-7 and posted a 4.08 ERA in 22 appearances last year with the San Francisco Giants.
He has struggled with injuries in recent years, but he looks to be turning the corner and becoming a reliable starter again who can give a team a decent number of innings when healthy.
The White Sox rotation has obviously dealt with more than its fair share of injuries.
Lance Lynn is obviously still out with a torn meniscus and Lucas Giolito missed some time with an abdominal strain.
Cueto could be somebody who can plug a hole at a certain point for the White Sox.
He’s a veteran guy and is dependable, so there could come a point where the White Sox could slot him right into their starting rotation.
NEXT: White Sox Fans Will Be Concerned With This Liam Hendriks Stat