Article: Get To Know: RHP Andro Cutura

[Seth Stohs]

Andro Cutura was the Twins seventh-round pick in 2014 out of Southeastern Louisiana. An injury meant that he spent that season rehabbing. This season, he pitched in Elizabethton and was terrific. In 11 starts, he went 3-2 with a 1.34 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. He walked just 15 and struck out 49. Following the Elizabethton season, he joined the Ft. Myers Miracle, though he didn’t get into a game.

 

Cutura was kind enough to answer our questions recently. So continue reading to learn a little more about the 22-year-old right-hander.

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Louisiana, who was your favorite team to follow, and who were some of your favorite players?

 

 

Andro Cutura (AC): Growing up in Louisiana you were either an Astros fan or a Braves so I kind of kept up with both but leaned more towards the Astros. Greg Maddux was and will always be one of my favorite pitchers mainly because of the similarities we possess. I try to mirror my game to his.

SS: What were some of your favorite high school memories, from baseball or other activities you were involved in?

 

 

AC: I would say my most memorable moment would be winning the district championship in soccer my senior year and all the fans rushing the field for the dog pile. Another great memory was helping Pearl River High School baseball to win their first playoff game my junior year.

SS: You then chose Southeastern Louisiana for your college ball. What were some of your favorite memories from your three years there?

 

 

AC: This is a tough one because there were so many great memories from my three years there. It all started with my freshman year getting my first collegiate win against Mississippi State, all the way to dog piling as conference tournament champions my junior year. It was all topped off with getting to a regional for the first time in 20 years and finally getting a start against LSU. We fell short but it was an awesome experience with my teammates.

SS: Drafted by the Twins in the seventh round in 2014. Is that about where you thought you might be selected coming into the draft? What were your thoughts when you heard your name called by the Twins?

 

 

AC: I mean yes, I was definitely planning on going earlier, but I knew I would drop mainly because of an injury at the end of my junior season that played a pretty big factor in the selection process. However, I was so thankful that I had people who still believed in me and my work ethic and gave me the opportunity to move on to the next level. I was so excited when I heard my name called. Everything happened so fast! My whole body was shaking, but when I heard my name it was great to give my parents and coaches a big hug and thank them for everything.

SS: You spent the rest of 2014 rehabbing an injury. How frustrating was it for you to have signed and then have to wait to get to actually play?

 

 

AC: It was very frustrating, especially with the longevity of the rehab process. It took a lot longer to heal than we expected so that was definitely a low moment in my career where I thought it would never get better. The main thing I had to focus on was staying positive and trusting in faith because I knew God had a plan for me. I am so thankful that I had a great training staff that stayed on me and kept me positive through the lengthy process.

SS: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make, going from college or amateur ball to the pro game? On or off the field?

 

 

AC: I think the biggest thing for me was to understand that yes, this is every kid’s dream and we are out here to have fun, but now this is my job. The coaches aren’t going to be on your tail at all times to do the right thing, it is up to you to get your work done and perform or else you will be looking for another job.

SS: How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? What do you throw, and what are you doing when you are at your best (your strengths)?

 

 

AC: I would say I have more of the bulldog mentality with sort of a controlled fire within me. I will be on the rubber telling the batter to step in the box because I’m ready to get you out; you’re not going to beat me. That is my mentality with every hitter. I throw more of a power sinker for the most part, I will mix in a few four seams, and I also have a slider and a change-up. I think I am at my best when I am down in the zone and have a good feel for all three pitches mixing them in any count.

SS: What are the things that you feel you need to improve over the offseason and going forward?

 

 

AC: The main thing for me is building more overall strength and stamina. Rehabbing for 7-8 months and not being able to do any lifting or running for the most part was very tough for me. I lost weight due to lack of muscle mass in my legs and upper body. I want to get stronger and increase my stamina to be able to go deeper into games. As far as the pitching side I really want to work on my fastball location and consistency of my off-speed pitches.

SS: What was the Elizabethton experience like for you, on and off the field?

 

 

AC: E-Town was great! I had a great landlord who was extremely helpful along with awesome roommates. I stayed in a house about two blocks from the field and right next to a river so I couldn’t complain. We had a very close-knit group players and coaches and the town as a whole was very supportive of their team.

SS: What are your plans for the offseason? (Baseball training, but also what do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?)

 

 

AC: I’ve spent a lot of time visiting the family and watching the siblings play their sports. I also plan of doing a lot of fishing and duck hunting while I’m home.

SS: Who are some of the coaches and others who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

 

AC: There is such a long list of names that have led me to where I am now. I will start off saying my parents getting me through the tee-ball stages as my coaches and throwing with me in the front yard growing up. Here’s a little list of the shoutouts : Coach Wayne Chambers, Ron Hollier, Jack Pineiro, Gary Funel, Al Barrileaux, Rick Cavers, Randy Buck, Albert Garza, Vinny Dicarlo, Steve Bullock, Gee, John Crawford, Derek Bicham, Jacques Jobert, Jay Artigues, Matt Riser, Daniel Latham, Zack Zulli, Louis Ramirez, JP Martinez, Virgil Vasquez and any others that I may be leaving out. I thank my parents and many of my coaches for getting me to tournaments and practices and being so helpful.

Thank you to Andro Cutura for taking time to thoughtfully respond to our questions! Please feel free to comment and ask questions below.

 

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[bluechipper]

Great interview, Arndro and Seth. I really enjoyed reading his thoughtful answers, and I'll be paying more attention to his season next year. It should be interesting to see how he does in a full season in Cedar Rapids or Ft. Myers.

[ashbury]

You didn't ask him about his unusual name. Family legacy ("Andro Cutura IV")? Or is this already covered to death, elsewhere?

[Squirrel]

Great article, Seth. I love these 'get to know them' articles. Thanks.

 

Btw, what was his injury?

[Jack Torse]

Back in my day they use to call SLU the "Princeton of the Pearl River".  Now days they call it Slow Learners University.  GO LIONS!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Great article, Seth. I love these 'get to know them' articles. Thanks.

Btw, what was his injury?

 

He had some back issues. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

You didn't ask him about his unusual name. Family legacy ("Andro Cutura IV")? Or is this already covered to death, elsewhere?

 

From Andro Cutura (pronounced Chew-tor-ha), his dad, Miroslav Cutura, is from Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

 

[ashbury]

From Andro Cutura (pronounced Chew-tor-ha), his dad, Miroslav Cutura, is from Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Thanks. His being from Louisiana, I was trying to think of any way it could be Cajun, Creole, French, ... coming up with nothing like that.