Andrew McCutchen to Make Big League Debut

Former Hickory Crawdads centerfielder Andrew McCutchen ('06) has been promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates and is expected to make his major league debut Thursday afternoon against the New York Mets.

McCutchen, the Pirates first selection in the 2005 draft, becomes the first former Crawdads' player to make his Major League debut during the 2009 season. He is the 93rd former Crawdad to reach the major league level.

For the Crawdads in 2006, McCutchen hit .291 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games. He also stole 22 bases for Hickory. In 49 games with AAA - Indianapolis, McCutchen hit .303 with 4 HRs and 20 RBIs out of the leadoff spot.

In related news to clear space for McCutchen, former Crawdads outfielder Nate McLouth ('01) was the centerpiece in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. McLouth was traded by the Pirates to the Braves for minor league pitchers Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

McLouth, who won his first Gold Glove as an outfielder in 2008, hit .256 with 9 HRs and 34 RBIs in 45 games.