McCutchen expected to make Altoona cameo

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Andrew McCutchen is expected to start the 2007 season in Altoona, but Curve fans had better catch him early because it's highly unlikely the Pirates' top prospect will be there long.

"He is a very special player, when you consider he's only 20 years old and performs in the manner he does every day," manager Jim Tracy said. "He runs, he has power, and he's going to improve.

"There are prospects and there are special-breed players, and this guy is a special-breed player."

General manager Dave Littlefield agrees with Tracy's assessment of the young outfielder.

"He is far advanced for a kid his age," Littlefield said. "It's great to see him have success as he gets more experience. Good things are going to happen for him and we're really pleased how he's played."

The Pirates' Minor League Player of the Year in 2006, McCutchen has been wearing a can't-miss label since he was the Bucs' first-round pick (11th overall) out of Fort Meade (Fla.) High School in the 2005 draft.

McCutchen isn't big (5-11, 170) by baseball standards, but he's got all the tools -- he can hit, hit for power, run, play defense and throw.

He split his first year in pro ball (2005) with the Gulf Coast League Pirates and Williamsport. He began 2006 at Class A Hickory, where he batted .291 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs in 114 games, then was promoted to Altoona (Double-A) where he hit .308 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 20 games.

"Altoona was great, especially jumping from low Class A ball to Double-A," McCutchen said. "The field is awesome, with the roller-coaster in right field. It's a Minor League ballpark, but looks like it should be a Major League ballpark. Those 20 games were fun - a real nice experience."

The Pirates are giving the youngster plenty of opportunities this spring. In 12 games with the big club, McCutchen was hitting .333 (12-for-36) with a home run and a pair of RBI.

"He is not fazed by a whole lot of anything," Tracy said, noting McCutcheon is very confident in his ability.

"I haven't felt overmatched anywhere," McCutchen said. "It's cool to bat against the big-league pitchers, especially a guy like Mike Mussina (of the Yankees) who I've followed since I was a kid."

McCutchen insists he doesn't care where he starts or finishes the season.

"My goal is to have a good season," the soft-spoken McCutchen said. "I want to have a season like I had last year, no matter where I am or where I end up.

"I want my team to do well and I want to improve on my game," he said. "Getting better, that's the main thing. I want to maintain my game and keep it going."

Spring Training in Florida is a comfort zone for McCutchen, whose home is only an hour away from Bradenton.

"I usually have family come to the games," he said. "It's good to be close to home. If you feel a little homesick, and don't feel like being around the field, you can go home and lay down a little bit. Plus I can get that home cooking, and you can't beat that."

Baseball wasn't always the only game for McCutchen, though. As a high school freshman, he ran on the state championship 4x100 relay team. As a sophomore wide receiver, he was ranked among the top 200 football players in Florida and considered a Division I prospect.

"I got hurt (in football) and had to miss my 10th grade year in baseball, so I gave it up and stuck with baseball," he said.

The Pirates are glad he did.