McCutchen is second on the team in WRC+ (125) and channeling his past form from a familiar spot in the lineup.
Andrew McCutchen has turned back the clock and is once again one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ main offensive contributors.
The 2013 NL MVP occupies the three-hole in the Pirates lineup on a consistent basis and is two home runs shy of tying Roberto Clemente (240) for third on the club’s all-time home run list.
McCutchen, 38, owns the third-best batting average (.275) and second-best on-base percentage (.363) on the team. His .450 slugging percentage only trails Oneil Cruz (.531), who is playing at an MVP level.
In 24 games, McCutchen owns an .813 OPS with 22 hits in 80 at-bats, five doubles, three homers, and 10 RBIs.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1906405256793084146
Plate discipline has always been a strength and backed up by his 16:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In a perfect world, McCutchen would be hitting sixth or seventh in a deep lineup where he lengthens the order with young players around him. Other than Cruz and Joey Bart, neither player originally signed or drafted by the Pirates, the organization is lacking in young bonafide, established hitters.
McCutchen’s success in 17 seasons, 12 in Pittsburgh, speaks for itself. But how long will it last?
When McCutchen returned to the Steel City in 2023, I thought two years back with the Pirates would be a realistic timeframe. Three years seemed generous, but not outside the realm of possibility.
Going into 2025, I prepared with the mindset that this was McCutchen’s final season of a borderline Hall of Fame career. How does he feel?
“I’ll see how this year goes … one, two [years],” McCutchen told Foul Territory in February.
Please play forever, @TheCUTCH22. pic.twitter.com/ixCeSsO0Cl
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 25, 2025
McCutchen slashed .232/..328/.411 last season, earning a 0.8 WAR with 18 doubles, 20 home runs, and 50 RBIs. Cutch’s WAR already sits at 0.6 and a career 49.5, just shy of the 50 WAR mark most Hall of Famers have.
His season ended in August after left knee inflammation landed him on the IL.
McCutchen has been a notorious slow starter at times before picking it up in June, July, and August. He’s been a consistent anchor to the Pirates’ lineup this season and lineup protection for Reynolds and Bart.
If he feels up to it and can contribute as a productive DH in the middle of the lineup, McCutchen could very well be back for a final ride in 2026.
It’s a long season, and things can change, but the Pirates have to like what they’ve seen. Same with McCutchen. Pirates fans may have a chance to see No. 22 in the black and gold for close to 20 years after seeing him depart in a trade after 2017. Not a bad way to end your career, ideally getting back to the postseason. In a perfect world.