“Cuévas struggling? He will show his capabilities soon.”
KT Wiz ace Emmanuel De Jesus took the mound as a starter in the 7th game of the season against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 30th, winning the game with an impressive performance of 7 innings, 4 hits allowed, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts, and no earned runs over 106 pitches, and met with reporters to reveal his steadfast trust in his close friend William Cuévas, who is in a crisis.
Cuévas, who re-signed with KT for an aggregate of $1.5 million (approximately 20 billion won), is playing in his 7th season in the KBO League. KT has planned to use Cuévas as a second starter rather than an ace, giving him a considerable sum of 20 billion won, but his current performance after two months into the season has been below expectations. His season record shows 12 games with 2 wins, 5 losses, and an earned run average of 6.12, resembling a candidate for the 5th or 6th starter role rather than competing for the second starter position.
Until April, Cuévas had a strong image of misfortune, recording quality starts in 5 games out of 7, but by May, he lost the stature of an ace. During May, he suffered from severe struggles with no wins and 3 losses, resulting in a heightened earned run average of 8.25 (24 innings, 22 earned runs). On the 22nd, he faced a defeat against KIA with 7 runs allowed in 5 innings, breaking the team's 3-game winning streak, and on the 28th, he allowed 6 runs in 5 innings against Doosan, halting the team's 5-game winning streak. Cuévas has the highest earned run average among pitchers who have pitched the required innings.
Amid repeated struggles, Cuévas has even been caught up in rumors of being cut. However, his friend from Central and South America had a different opinion. De Jesus noted, “We have had countless conversations about Cuévas’ recent struggles,” and emphasized, “What I want to make clear is that Cuévas is really training hard and is very diligent. Therefore, I believe he will quickly regain his form.”
He added, “In baseball, there are times when things go really wrong and times when they go really well. Baseball is a long race, isn’t it? Cuévas will overcome this struggle, regain his pace, and soon show his capabilities. I believe that and am ready to wait. Good times will come soon.”
Indeed, Cuévas was seen putting in an effort to find a turning point in the bullpen ahead of the KIA game on the 30th. He threw the ball to the point of soaking his back in sweat and received a one-point lesson from 'pitching instructor' Lee Kang-cheol. Coach Lee also told reporters, “Isn’t Cuévas our player? I will continue to monitor him,” wishing for the resurgence of 'Ku Dong-won.'
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