Sep 27, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) tip his cap to the crowd prior to his first at bat against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Pirates: Milestones ahead in Andrew McCutchen return
There is certainly a feel-good element to the news that Andrew McCutchen is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year deal. While there is plenty of emotion swirling about the Steel City homecoming now, there will be more and more as the season rolls along if the 36-year-old outfielder continues to be a presence at the plate.
Andrew McCutchen is closing in on some personal milestones he will likely hit in his return to the Pittsburgh Pirates
McCutchen is reportedly returning to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal. It’s a return to the franchise where he spent nine seasons, including the 2009 campaign where he made his MLB debut and 2013 season where he earned National League Most Valuable Player honors. Even after being traded away, McCutchen has continued to be a fan favorite in Pittsburgh and received warm welcomes upon his return to PNC Park with the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and last season with the Milwaukee Brewers.
While McCutchen has changed uniforms plenty since being traded from Pittsburgh to San Francisco in 2018 (in a deal that brought All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds to the Steel City, another outfielder the Pirates are hoping to keep as a long-term cornerstone of the franchise), one thing that hasn’t changed is his ability to produce at the plate. Last season’s OPS+ of 99 was the first time in his career he hadn’t been in triple digits, but still slashed .237/.316/.384 with 17 homers and 69 RBI.
Those performances have McCutchen knocking on the door of some important personal numbers, ones that he could well reach in 2023 in front of the Pittsburgh fans who have cheered him on for years.
Andrew McCutchen returns to the Pirates on the verge of some big round numbers: He’s got 1,948 career hits, 392 doubles, 287 home runs, 983 walks. It’ll likely be a summer of milestones.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 13, 2023
Expect McCutchen to get plenty of playing time and opportunities to reach the milestones, giving the Pirates outfield depth and help at designated hitter as well.
Sure, the reunion is a good story now, but it will likely only get better this season as Pittsburgh Pirates fans are able to show their appreciation to McCutchen and celebrate some milestones along with him.
