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Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen October 2015.jpg
McCutchen in 2015
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 22
Outfielder / Designated hitter
Born: (1986-10-10) October 10, 1986 (age 38)
Fort Meade, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
June 4, 2009, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
(through July 19, 2025)
Batting average .273
Hits 2,231
Home runs 327
Runs batted in 1,126
Stolen bases 220
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World Baseball Classic
Gold 2017 Los Angeles Team

Andrew Stefan McCutchen (born October 10, 1986) is an American professional baseball player. He is an outfielder and designated hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball (MLB). Fans often call him "Cutch." He has also played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers.

McCutchen was chosen by the Pirates in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft. He quickly became a star. During his first time with the Pirates, he was named the National League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2013. He was also an All-Star for five years in a row (2011–2015).

He has won many awards, including four Silver Slugger Awards for his great hitting and a Gold Glove Award for his amazing defense. In 2015, he won the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to a player who shows great character and helps the community. McCutchen also helped the United States win its first-ever gold medal at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Early Life and High School

Andrew McCutchen was born in Fort Meade, Florida. His parents, Lorenzo and Petrina, were teenagers when he was born. His father, Lorenzo, played college football but gave up his dream of playing in the National Football League (NFL) to be with his family.

McCutchen was a sports star at Fort Meade High School. He was so good at baseball that he played on the main team as an eighth grader. In his senior year, his batting average was an incredible .709. He also played football and ran track. He was a top football recruit and was even offered a scholarship to play for the University of Miami, but he chose to focus on baseball.

Professional Career

Minor League Journey

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted McCutchen with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft. He signed with them instead of going to college. He played in the minor leagues from 2005 to 2009. During this time, he was named one of the best young players in baseball. He was known for his speed and hitting ability. In 2006, the Pirates named him their Minor League Player of the Year.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2009–2017)

Making a Splash in the Majors

DSCN1076 Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen during his rookie season in 2009.

McCutchen made his MLB debut on June 4, 2009. In his very first at-bat, he got a hit. He had a fantastic rookie season, hitting .286 with 12 home runs and 22 stolen bases. On August 1, 2009, he had an amazing game where he hit three home runs. He was the first Pirates rookie ever to do that. He finished fourth in the voting for Rookie of the Year.

Becoming an All-Star

Andrew McCutchen 2011
McCutchen in 2011.

By 2010, McCutchen was the Pirates' star center fielder. In 2011, he was selected for his first All-Star Game. That year, he hit 23 home runs and stole 23 bases, becoming only the eighth Pirate to join the "20-20 club."

On March 5, 2012, he signed a six-year, $51.5 million contract with the Pirates. He had an amazing season, leading the National League with 194 hits. He also won a Gold Glove Award for his excellent fielding and a Silver Slugger Award for his powerful hitting.

MVP Season and Peak Years

Andrew McCutchen on June 12, 2012
McCutchen at bat in 2012.

The 2013 season was McCutchen's best. He was so popular that he was on the cover of the video game MLB 13: The Show. He hit .317 with 21 home runs and 27 stolen bases. He led the Pirates to the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. For his incredible performance, he was named the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP).

From 2013 to 2015, McCutchen was one of the best players in baseball. He was an All-Star every year and won the Silver Slugger Award four times in a row. In 2015, he won the Roberto Clemente Award, named after the legendary Pirates player, for his sportsmanship and community work.

Final Years in Pittsburgh

Andrew McCutchen 2016
McCutchen during spring training in 2016.

McCutchen continued to play well in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, he helped Team USA win the World Baseball Classic. He also hit his first career grand slam. By the end of his first run with the Pirates, he was one of the team's all-time greatest players, ranking high in home runs, hits, and many other categories.

A Journey Through MLB (2018–2022)

McCutchen in 2018 with the Giants (left) and the Yankees (right).

In January 2018, the Pirates traded McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants. He had a memorable game with the Giants where he got six hits, including a walk-off home run in the 14th inning. Later that year, he was traded to the New York Yankees.

From 2019 to 2021, McCutchen played for the Philadelphia Phillies. He signed a three-year, $50 million contract with them. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious knee injury in 2019 that ended his season early. He returned in 2020 and continued to be a powerful hitter.

In 2022, he signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. That season, he recorded his 1,000th career RBI.

Return to the Pirates (2023–Present)

McCutchen at bat in 2025
McCutchen batting for the Pirates in 2025.

In 2023, McCutchen made an exciting return to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team where his career began. Fans gave him a long standing ovation at his first home game back. During the season, he reached two major milestones: his 2,000th career hit and his 300th career home run.

He re-signed with the Pirates for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He has said he wants to retire as a Pirate. In 2025, he passed the legendary Roberto Clemente for third place on the Pirates' all-time home run list.

Personal Life

Wolf McCutchen Harper (32686597377)
McCutchen (left) with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and teammate Bryce Harper in 2019.

For many years, McCutchen was famous for his long dreadlocks. In 2015, he cut them off and auctioned them to raise money for charity.

He proposed to his girlfriend, Maria Hanslovan, on the TV show The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2013. They are now married and have four children: sons Steel and Armani, and daughters Avé and Italia. The family lives in Pittsburgh. McCutchen is a Christian and is active on social media, where he often interacts with fans.

Awards

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Andrew McCutchen para niños

  • List of Pittsburgh Pirates award winners and league leaders
  • List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
  • List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
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