Former Brewers pitching convert makes inspirational debut with Royals

José Cuas struggled with the Milwaukee Brewers, then left baseball — but his brother never gave up. Now, Cuas sees an MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals.

José Cuas is one of the hardest-working players in baseball, even though he just saw his MLB debut on May 31.

The 31-year-old Royals pitcher has spent years working towards the mound in the Majors, ever since the Milwaukee Brewers were unable to convert the infielder to pitcher back in 2017. Cuas was let go, and he was ready to be done with baseball. But José’s brother, Alex, wouldn’t let him put down the glove.

“He called me and said, ‘I just got released, I’m done with this,’” Alex told MLB.com. “I was like, ‘Hey, relax. Let’s see what happens.’”

José headed home to Brooklyn, New York, and began working long, arduous days delivering packages for FedEx. At night, sometimes in 20-degree weather, José and Alex would head to the field and practice.

Five years later, José was called up by the Royals to pitch against the Cleveland Guardians. As Cuas takes the mound, game announcer share the incredible details of his journey to that point.

José Cuas makes inspirational MLB debut with Kansas City Royals

Unfortunately, the 16-32 Royals lost to the Guardians 3-8, and Cuas didn’t see much time on the mound. He pitched in the third inning, aggregating a 16-10 PC-ST and one strikeout.

But the Royals and MLB fans were treated to the fastball that Alex has helped José perfect over the years.

“Hitters were uncomfortable,” Alex told MLB.com. “If they’re looking like that, we got something. He only threw a fastball. Once that was good enough, we needed something to strike people out with. And then just the development of pitching. He started from nothing, and he was in-season. It was brand new.”

Cuas’ entire family was in the house for his MLB debut, with his son, José III, telling everyone that his dad plays baseball and “throws strikes.”

“It’s been a rollercoaster, what he’s had to go through,” Alex said. “It’s not always sunshine and rainbows or happy stories. He’s been through so much. His goal was always that. And now, whether it’s an inning, a couple seasons, or 10 years, he got it.”