By Morris Phillips

Johnny Cueto’s big league career has an extraordinary arch after the completion of his sixth season, one that’s nearly impossible to match.

After spending much of 2013 with injuries, making only 11 starts, Cueto suffered a big embarassment on his biggest stage to that date, dropping the ball, having to retrieve it away from the mound, then surrendering a laser shot home run to Russell Martin on his next pitch, all while the raucous Pittsburgh crowd derisively chanted his name.

Cueto’s skipper Dusty Baker said before the game that his pitcher thrives in big spots, but Cueto, the emergency replacement starter (Ace Mat Latos was hurt) after battling injuries and making just three September starts as dress rehearsals, was in a tough place and not at his best physically.

Since that 6-2 loss to the Pirates, it’s been one feat after another for the standout from the Dominican Republic.

First, Cueto bounced back with a 20-win season, his first after winning 19 in 2012. The following season saw Cueto dealt at mid-season to the Royals, a trade necessitated by the pitcher’s impending free agency, and he rewarded Kansas City with the first complete game win by an AL starter in the World Series in more than 20 years, culminating in a Series title for the improbable Royals.

As a champion and a free agent, Cueto had no shortage of suitors and elected to sign a 6-year, $130 million deal with the Giants, putting the stingy hurler in a pitcher’s park for the first time in his career.

Now after a flawless 13-1, 2.47 start to 2016, Cueto will make his first All-Star appearance as manager Terry Collins’ pick to start for the National League.

“Everybody certainly deserves an opportunity, but I thought Johnny has pitched the best in this first half of the season and deserves this opportunity for what he’s done, and for what he did to us in the World Series last year.”