The Major League Baseball draft may not reap the publicity of the NBA or NFL draft, but it does provide one of the strongest lessons; talent reigns supreme, and it will be found no matter where it is. The Minnesota Twins used the 2014 MLB Draft to employ this principle.
Andro Cutura is a right-handed pitcher out of Southeastern Louisiana University. The Lions are an NCAA Division 1 school competing in the Southland Conference. While the Lions may not have the prestige of a baseball school like Texas or Rice, don’t be fooled, Cutura is for real.
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With a solid arsenal, and a drive to propel himself through professional baseball, Andro Cutura is poised for great things. Meet Minnesota Twins 7th round pick, Andro Cutura.
Puckett’s Pond: As a Louisiana kid, was it a no brainer to stay and play baseball in your home state at Southeastern Lousiana University?
Andro Cutura: SELU being in Louisiana, and close to home was definitely a perk of why I chose to go there. However, it was really the only D1 school that gave me a chance, along with a couple of junior colleges. Even some jucos didn’t want me. I was always “too small.” I’m glad it worked out the way it did, because I created lifelong friends, and had an awesome coaching staff to play for. I don’t regret one second of it.
PP: On the mound, what kind of pitcher you are? What is your out pitch and how do you use your arsenal?
AC: On the mound, I’d say I’m more of the “bulldog” kind of guy. I don’t back down from anyone, I go right at you and battle. I would say my out pitch would be a close call between my change-up, and my cutter/slider. I like to use my sinker and change-up a lot to righties and lefties; I usually use my slider a lot more when I’m ahead in the count.
PP: With food being such a big part of the culture in Louisiana, what is your favorite meal back home?
AC: My favorite food back home would probably be crawfish.
PP: Having been selected in the seventh round, you didn’t need to wait long to hear your name called. What was your 2014 MLB Draft experience like?
AC: It wasn’t really how I expected. I didn’t have an adviser, so I didn’t really know when I was going to be called. I got a call in the 6th round and I immediately started shaking. He said he had a pick in the 7th and I was all for it! I was waiting for another call, but then I heard my name on the computer so it caught me by surprise. It was a very exciting time of my life for myself, my family, and my coaches.
PP: What does your knowledge of the Minnesota Twins look like, and have you ever been to Target Field?
AC: The main thing I knew about the Twins was JOE MAUER! I actually just went to Target Field for my first time yesterday to sign my contract.
PP: Finally, past or present, what big leaguer do you most model your game after and why?
AC: I like to model my game a lot after Tim Hudson. He is a sinker/slider pitcher, and pitches more to soft contact than for a strike out. That is mainly what I do along with utilizing my change-up.
Andro has already hit the field as a member of the Minnesota Twins organization and his climb to the big leagues is underway. With the ability and intellect on the mound, as well as the excitement and energy he brings as a person, Andro Cutura is poised for big things. Look for the Southeastern Louisiana product to hear his name ring through downtown Minneapolis and Target Field soon.