Pittsburgh's Other "Kid"; The Andrew McCutchen Story

In my past couple Pirates posts, i've mentioned my excitement for the Pirates' newest addition to their lineup-Andrew McCutchen. Finally, after trading Nate McLouth [cue weeps] the Pirates have called up their top prospect in McCutchen. Some are still growling about the Pirates supposedly throwing away their chances at winning in 2009, but this is the real reason why the Pirates had the {base}balls able to trade their center fielder-an overhyped but likeable guy hitting a mere .256. The Pirates have a center fielder. He happens to be the key to any possible championship in the Pirates near [within 10 years] future. This is the Andrew McCutchen story.

Waiting patiently in AAA Indianapolis, as the star player in the Pirates' top farm team, Cutch has finally gotten his chance to show his talent, speed, and overall ability to contribute to the Bucs. Drafted by the Pirates in 2005 with the 11th overall pick in the MLB draft, McCutchen is perhaps the best pick Littlefield and company have made in their dismal draft history. Already he is surpassing the accomplishments of the Pirates' 2002 #1 OVERALL pick in Bryan Bullington [yuck]. McCutchen has shown several sparkles in his time with the Pirates' various farm teams.

1. Killer speed.

The Cutch and Willie Parker would have quite the competition. In his second MLB game, McCutchen hit a ball that would be considered a sliding double for any other player, but turned the play into a stand up triple. Let me, boldly, say that again. standing triple. The FSN broadcasters were nearly speechless, and appropriately so. They went so far as to create a video for the next game of a side-by-side comparison of McCutchen and Deon Sanders. They were nearly in sync running the bases, with one exception-Sanders hit lefty and had a head start. His stolen bases seem effortless and he breaks up a double play like facebook tagging breaks up relationships.

2. Powah.

Usually a kid with Cutch's speed has a small build and makes a career out of hitting infield singles and 1 base floaters. Not this kid. In his few starts, McCutchen has shown his ability to drive the ball into the gap, and hit his first Major League home run last night with a blast. I'm talking power people. This ability, combined with his speed turns into a double and triple machine for the Bucs. The aforementioned triple was followed by another triple later in the same game. In his second game, McCutchen hit two triples; that's an accomplishment that few Pirates have accomplished in their entire careers. This speed/power leadoff combo is followed by the speed of Nyjer Morgan, creating a tag-team that can score runs quicker than ovaltine. In his 13 starts, he's already touched home plate 10 times.

3. (Mc)Clutch Factor-

Let's face it, this kid is clutch; it's in his blood. When he's up to bat late in the game with RISP, he's already proved his ability to get the big hit to score some runs. He's got 9 RBIs, he's slugging .492, and batting .339. This is a rookie, people. He's got 20 hits, 4 with extra bases.

Saying that this sexy leadoff is a triple threat is an understatement-he is so much more than a threat. I didn't even mention the potential he has to improve his defensive skills to become a top-tier fielder. He can already cover mega-grass with his speed and has given glimmers of his diving ability-he's not afraid of the grass. Furthermore-he's got a decent arm. In Tuesday's game against the Twins, he zapped one to the cutoff, and got a Twin caught at home plate-runsaver extraordinaire! [no, a twin does not count as two outs, although it really should].

In the spirit of Reading Rainbow, "Don't take my word for it," check him aght!

This is Pittsburgh's other kid-the summer kid for a change. "McCutch the Clutch," maybe? It doesn't have the ring like "Sid The Kid", but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Now you tell me why you want Nate McLouth, who, since he's been with the Braves, is hitting .240 with 12 hits in 12 games. And that RBI machine that he's been described as in passing? He's got 2. He's likeable, I guess he's got that going for him. uh.

While i'm waiting for an answer, i'm going to watch the Pirates, and their new player. I've heard he's a boss.