Triple-A All-Star Game Flashback: 2008 Andrew McCutchen
On Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 the Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Gildan will make its way to BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights. This annual event will provide fans a rare opportunity to see many Major League Baseball stars of tomorrow right in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, NC.
With this year's game fast approaching, Charlotte Knights Media Relations Associate Tom Liguori has created a feature profiling familiar faces that have competed in past Triple-A All-Star Games. Be sure to check back to see which of your favorite big league players will be featured next.
Andrew McCutchen - 2008
It goes without argument that Andrew McCutchen is one of the top center fielders in Major League Baseball today. Before his rapid rise to baseball fame he was known throughout the state of Florida as a talented, multi-sport athlete. Besides the speedy outfielder's natural baseball prowess, the 5-foot-10, 200 pound McCutchen was also considered a top Division I football recruit as a wide receiver. Rather than potentially running post routes in the National Football League, he chose to join the Pittsburgh Pirates organization after being selected 11th overall in the 2005 amateur baseball draft.
The agile McCutchen garnered instant recognition, being placed number two on Baseball America's list of top prospects in the Pirates organization. During his debut season in 2006, the center fielder hit 17 HRs and swiped 23 bases splitting time between Single-A and Double-A. The performance set the table for him to be awarded with the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.
McCutchen was tabbed as the 13th best prospect overall going into his sophomore campaign and did not fail to live up the hype. He stole 21 bases while once again hitting double digit home runs for the Pirates Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.
In 2008, the young McCutchen was selected to participate in the annual Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville after stealing 34 bases. Representing the Indianapolis Indians, he took home the International League MVP honors after going 2-for-2 with two RBIs during the contest.
Following McCutchen's success at the Triple-A All-Star Game, he received his major league promotion the subsequent summer at the age of 22. He would register two hits in four trips while also registering a stolen base in his first big league action. The athletic righty would finish the 2009 season fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year race after slugging 12 HRs and 22 stolen bases.
In 2011, McCutchen earned the right to play in his first MLB All-Star Game. He would go on to hit both 23 home runs and 23 stolen bases during the season. The center fielder followed up the impressive performance in 2012 with a career high 31 home run, 20 stolen base season in which he also hit for a personal best .327 average. The impressive stats earned McCutchen numerous accolades on the season as he won his first Silver Slugger and Gold Gloves awards, while also finishing third in the National League MVP race.
The ensuing season, McCutchen reached his third straight midsummer classic on his way to winning the National League MVP award. The honor was bestowed upon him after hitting 21 home runs, 27 stolen bases while maintaining a .317 average. McCutchen was only the seventh Pirates player to have MVP honors bestowed upon him in the century long history of the organization.
McCutchen has helped the Pirates reach the postseason each of the last three seasons. In each of the last five seasons, he has hit more than 21 home runs and earned the right to represent the NL in the annual Midsummer Classic. McCutchen has not only cemented himself as one of the greatest players to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game, but also as an all-time great MLB player, all before his 30th birthday.