José Cuas

{{short description|Dominican-American baseball player (born 1994)}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = José Cuas

|image = Josecuas20232.jpg

|caption = Cuas with Royals in 2023

|team = Philadelphia Phillies

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|6|28}}

|birth_place = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 31

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Kansas City Royals

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 7–4

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.37

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 122

|teams =

Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

José Luis Cuas ({{respell|kwas}};{{cite web |title=2022 MLB Player Name Presentation Preferences and Pronunciations |url=https://pressbox.athletics.com/Publications/MLB%20Media%20Guides/MLB%20Publications/2022%20Player%20Name%20Presentations%20&%20Pronunciation%20Guide.pdf |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=pressbox.athletics.com}} born June 28, 1994) is a Dominican-American professional baseball pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Amateur career

Cuas attended Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn, New York.{{Cite web |last=Braziller |first=Zach |date=July 6, 2012 |title=Grand Street's Cuas facing Major decision as Blue Jays up ante |url=https://nypost.com/2012/07/06/grand-streets-cuas-facing-major-decision-as-blue-jays-up-ante/ |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=New York Post}} Cuas was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2012 MLB draft but did not sign. He attended the University of Maryland where he played college baseball for the Terrapins.{{Cite web |last=Seth Abramson |first=and Seth Walder |title=Grand Street Campus shortstop demands $500,000 signing bonus, so Blue Jays pass on him in 10th round and take him in 40th round instead |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high-school/grand-street-campus-shortstop-demands-500-000-signing-bonus-blue-jays-pass-10th-40th-article-1.1091188 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=New York Daily News|date=June 6, 2012}} In 2014, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=670780 |title=#11 Jose Cuas - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=May 29, 2022}} Cuas was a three-year starter as an infielder at Maryland, and enjoyed his best season as a junior in 2015, hitting .242/.329/.442/.771 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2015 |title=Milwaukee Brewers 2015 MLB Draft capsules |url=http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-brewers-2015-mlb-draft-capsules-060915 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=FOXSports.com}} He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 2015 MLB draft and signed with them.{{Cite web |last=Vittas |first=John |date=June 10, 2015 |title=Jose Cuas selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th Round |url=https://marylandbaseballnetwork.com/2015/06/10/jose-cuas-selected-by-the-milwaukee-brewers-in-the-11th-round/ |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Maryland Baseball Network}}

Professional career

=Milwaukee Brewers=

Cuas spent his debut season of 2015 with the rookie–level Helena Brewers, hitting .260/.319/.430/. with 7 home runs and 40 RBI. He spent the 2016 season with the High–A Brevard County Manatees, playing in 120 games and hitting .170/.263/.240 with 4 home runs and 27 RBI. Cuas split the 2017 season between the Single–A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the High–A Carolina Mudcats, hitting a cumulative .187/.277/.321 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI.{{Cite web |title=Jose Cuas Amateur, College, Minor, Independent & Winter Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cuas--000jos |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

Cuas was converted to a pitcher prior to the 2018 season. He opened the season with Wisconsin, going 2–0 with an 8.38 ERA over {{frac|19|1|3}} innings before being released on July 10.{{Cite web |title=Jose Cuas Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/player/jose-cuas-621016 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=MLB.com}}

=Long Island Ducks=

Cuas signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and finished the 2018 season with them, going 2–1 with a 2.38 ERA and 17 strikeouts over {{frac|22|2|3}} innings. Cuas opened the 2019 season back with Long Island.

It was with the Ducks that Cuas began pitching sidearm. Cuas had been throwing sidearm while warming up until, on the advice of Ducks teammate Francisco Rodríguez, he began to work on throwing sidearm full-time.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On May 25, 2019, Cuas was signed to a minor league contract by the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2019 |title=LI Ducks Re-Sign Grand Street Campus High School Alum Jose Cuas |url=https://brooklynsportsworld.com/2019/04/12/li-ducks-re-sign-grand-street-campus-high-school-alum-jose-cuas/ |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Brooklyn Sports World/The Sports Scope}} Between the Low-A Hillsboro Hops, the Single-A Kane County Cougars, and the High-A Visalia Rawhide, Cuas posted a combined 6–3 record with a 1.60 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 45 innings.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-16 |title=Ducks Re-Sign Righty Reliever Jose Cuas |url=https://liducks.com/ducks-re-sign-righty-reliever-jose-cuas/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Long Island Ducks}} Cuas was released by Arizona on May 22, 2020, and did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=David |date=2022-06-30 |title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=MLB.com}} Cuas took a job as a FedEx delivery driver during the day and trained with his younger brother in a park in Brooklyn at night.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Anne |title=Converted pitcher Cuas makes it from FedEx to MLB |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-cuas-makes-mlb-debut-after-long-journey |access-date=June 2, 2022 |work=MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=May 31, 2022}}

=Long Island Ducks (second stint)=

On April 16, 2021, Cuas signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Ducks Re-Sign Righty Reliever Jose Cuas|url=https://liducks.com/ducks-re-sign-righty-reliever-jose-cuas/|access-date=2023-06-05|website=liducks.com}} He pitched in 5 games for the Ducks and threw 11 scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts.

=Kansas City Royals=

File:Josecuas2023.jpg

On June 17, 2021, Cuas signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals organization.{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2021 |title=Jose Cuas' Contract Purchased by Royals |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/jose-cuas-contract-purchased-by-royals/n-5706985 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Our Sports Central}}

Cuas split his affiliated time in 2021 between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Royals, the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, going a combined 5–1 with a 1.51 ERA and 44 strikeouts over {{frac|41|2|3}} innings.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Alec |date=March 16, 2022 |title=From FedEx driver to Francisco Rodríguez pupil: The odyssey of Royals reliever Jose Cuas |url=https://theathletic.com/3186338/2022/03/16/from-fedex-driver-to-francisco-rodriguez-pupil-the-odyssey-of-royals-reliever-jose-cuas/ |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=The Athletic}} He received a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Anne |date=March 13, 2022 |title=Witt Jr. tops Royals' list of 21 non-roster invitees |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bobby-witt-jr-headlines-royals-2022-spring-training-non-roster-invitees |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=MLB.com}}

On May 30, Kansas City selected Cuas' contract and promoted him to the Major Leagues for the first time.{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2022 |title=Royals' Greinke put on IL with right flexor strain |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34011189/kansas-city-royals-zack-greinke-put-il-right-flexor-strain |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} He made his Major League debut the following day against the Cleveland Guardians.{{cite web |title=Jose Cuas Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuasjo01.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=June 2, 2022}} He struck out the first batter he faced, Oscar Mercado, and retired the next two hitters in order for a perfect inning of relief.{{cite web |title=Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Guardians Box Score, May 31, 2022 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE202205310.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=June 2, 2022}} On August 9, Cuas recorded his first career save after pitching a scoreless {{fraction|2|3}} of an inning against the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Jose Cuas: Notches first save|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-jose-cuas-notches-first-save/amp/|access-date=2023-05-30|website=cbssports.com}}

Cuas made the Royals' Opening Day roster in 2023 as part of the club's bullpen.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Jose Cuas: Makes Opening Day roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-jose-cuas-makes-opening-day-roster/amp/|access-date=2023-06-05|website=cbssports.com}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On July 31, 2023, the Royals traded Cuas to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Nelson Velázquez.{{cite web|url= https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-royals-trade-jose-cuas/44695335|first=Nick|last=Sloan|title=Royals trade relief pitcher José Cuas to the Chicago Cubs, receive outfielder in return|website=KMBC.com|date=August 2023}} In 27 appearances for the Cubs, he compiled a 3.04 ERA with 19 strikeouts across {{fraction|23|2|3}} innings pitched.

Cuas made nine appearances for Chicago in 2024, struggling to a 7.43 ERA with 14 strikeouts across {{fraction|13|1|3}} innings pitched. On June 16, 2024, Cuas was designated for assignment by the Cubs.{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=2024-06-16 |title=Cubs Select Ethan Roberts, Designate Jose Cuas |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/cubs-select-ethan-roberts-designate-jose-cuas.html |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On June 23, 2024, Cuas was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web |last=Deeds |first=Nick |date=2024-06-23 |title=Blue Jays Claim Jose Cuas Off Waivers From Cubs |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/blue-jays-claim-jose-cuas-off-waivers-from-cubs.html |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors}} In 4 games for Toronto, he struggled to a 9.00 ERA with 3 strikeouts over 3 innings. Cuas was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on September 5.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Toronto Blue Jays Roster Moves: Jose Cuas, Emmanuel Ramirez |url=https://thereportonsports.com/toronto-blue-jays-roster-moves-jose-cuas-emmanuel-ramirez/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=thereportonsports.com}}

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On September 7, 2024, Cuas was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies.{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=2024-09-11 |title=Phillies Outright Nick Nelson |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/phillies-announce-four-roster-moves.html |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors}} In 4 games for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, he recorded a 4.91 ERA with 5 strikeouts across {{fraction|3|2|3}} innings pitched. Cuas was designated for assignment following the signing of Joe Ross on December 23.{{Cite web|title=Phillies To Sign Joe Ross|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/phillies-to-sign-joe-ross.html|access-date=December 23, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 23, 2024 |language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on January 10, 2025.{{Cite web|title=Phillies Outright Jose Cuas|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/phillies-outright-jose-cuas-clears-waivers.html|access-date=January 12, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 10, 2025 |language=en}}

Personal life

At the time of his Major League debut, Cuas had a four-year-old son and one-year-old daughter with his longtime girlfriend.

His younger brother, Alex, played college baseball at Towson.{{cite web |title=Alex Cuas Amateur & College Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cuas--000ale |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=June 2, 2022}}