Andrew McCutchen

Andrew McCutchen is the best player in the Major Leagues at the moment. He doesn't get much publicity playing in Pittsburgh but he has a multitude of tools that he can use to help win the game. McCutchen is one of the many reasons the Pirates are contending for the National League Central.

First off McCutchen plays a stellar center field, it seems like there isn't a ball he can't get to. The combination of skill and speed makes him one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball. That defense is overlooked often because of his amazing offensive statistics.

In previous years McCutchen's offensive production has been nothing but average. In 2011 his batting average dropped and his on base percentage remained the same, but his power numbers took a tremendous increase. McCutchen has finally put all of the numbers together in 2012. The combination of power, speed, and consistency can be very dangerous for opposing teams.

In the 2012 season McCutchen has a .371/.423/.651 slashline. The slugging percentage is high due to 21 home runs, 5 triples, and 17 doubles. Lets not forget about his speed, McCutchen also has 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts. That is a 78%  success rate on the base pads, anything over 70% is beneficial to an offense.

In 2011 McCutchen hit a total of 23 home runs and it looks like he may eclipse that number soon in the 2012 season. When McCutchen makes contact, 25% of the time that contact results in a line drive which is most likely for a hit and 8% of the time it is home run. In 2011 when McCutchen made contacted it was just a 5% chance of a home run.

If you put speed, power, fielding, contact, and a powerful throwing arm you get Andrew McCutchen. Also you cant overlook his leadership on the Pirates and his ability to be consistent.