The Pittsburgh Pirates are seeing promising times ahead, particularly with a strong group of pitchers secured for the future. They also hope to continue benefiting from the presence of veteran Andrew McCutchen.
McCutchen, a first-round pick in 2005 straight out of high school, made his major league debut against the New York Mets on June 4, 2009. Since then, he has become one of the most significant players in Pirates history. With a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 42.7, McCutchen ranks 12th all-time for the team and has the potential to break into the top 10. Over his 16 major league seasons, he has spent 11 with the Pirates, often on struggling teams that have only reached the playoffs three times during his tenure.
Currently, the Pirates are in the playoff race, with McCutchen contributing a solid performance at the top of the lineup, maintaining a slash line of .242/.339/.402. Although he hasn’t been as active on the bases this season, McCutchen was known for being a consistent 20/20 player (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases) earlier in his career.
In a significant achievement, McCutchen joined an elite group of players with 2000+ hits, 400+ doubles, 50+ triples, 300+ home runs, and 200+ stolen bases. The Pirates’ official account on X highlighted this milestone, noting that only 12 players have ever reached these numbers. Among them, seven are Hall of Famers, with Carlos Beltran possibly joining them soon.
While McCutchen’s Hall of Fame induction remains uncertain, his legacy with the Pirates is secure. His number will undoubtedly be retired by the team, and his achievement of reaching career milestones matched by only 11 other players ensures his lasting recognition in baseball history.
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