Indirectly because another one of the Marlins' highly touted young players, Cameron Maybin, wasn't producing consistently in the Majors, Coghlan was called up from Triple-A New Orleans on May 8 and never looked back. From the All-Star Game until the end of the regular season, the infielder-turned-outfielder helped keep the low-payroll Marlins in contention with an ML-leading 113 hits and .372 batting average. Coghlan beat out loads of promising first-year players in a rookie slate that really offered no single favorite for the award. On the list of contenders were Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson (11-4, 2.89 ERA), Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (.286 AVG, 22 SB), Phillies lefty J.A. Happ (12-4, 2.93 ERA), Brewers infielder Casey McGehee (.301 AVG, 16 HR, 66 RBIs) and Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus (.251 AVG, 16 HR, 52 RBIs).

McCutchen's arrival had been much anticipated, and he showed off his five-tool ability after taking over as the everyday center fielder in early June, when the Pirates shipped Nate McLouth to Atlanta. Living up to his top-prospect hype, McCutchen led all NL rookies with 47 extra-base hits, while ranking second in multi-hit games (36), runs (74), walks (54) and total bases (204). He finished third in stolen bases (22), RBIs (54), slugging percentage (.471) and doubles (26). Such impressive across-the-board production makes McCutchen a player worth targeting on draft day next year. He should make a run at 30 steals.

After debuting for Pittsburgh on June 4, the day after the trade of established center fielder Nate McLouth, McCutchen batted .286 with 26 doubles, nine triples, 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and a .364 on-base percentage in 108 games. Throw in his athletic style of play, and it's easy to imagine the Pirates center fielder emerging as a trendy breakout pick when Spring Training rolls around.

McCutchen has earned a possible NL Rookie of the Year award by carving himself an everyday spot at the top of the Pirates lineup. His .286 batting average, 12 homers, 54 RBIs and 74 steals are enough to make the 22-year-old a possible breakout candidate, but his steal total makes him that much more valuable. Don't be surprised if he notches 40-plus stolen bases given that he'll be in the lineup from Day 1.

Amid the anonymity that can only come from playing for a losing team, McCutchen continues to put together a terrific rookie season. He has nine triples and 18 steals in 105 games, and his .283-12-54 line and .826 OPS has made him a frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year honors. He has certainly proven to be the breakout debut of 2009 from a fantasy perspective, and is a bona fide ace in keeper leagues.

McCutchen has hit safely in 13 of 14 contests to drive up his batting average 10 points to .281. He has six multi-hit efforts during that time, and he's already showing the ability to become a force in fantasy lineups for many years.

It's been a relatively quiet final month for McCutchen, but that appears to be changing lately. Monday's performance upped the rookie center fielder's RBI total to 50 while extending his hit streak to eight games.

McCutchen has hit a cold spell, going 4-for-28 (.143 AVG) with one run over the last seven games. Regardless, it’s been an impressive rookie season for the 22-year-old, who’s swiped 16 bases and scored 58 runs in 89 contests.

Just when J.A. Happ figured to have the '09 NL Rookie of the Year Award in the bag, McCutcheon has emerged as his most serious competition for the year-end honor. In August, the rookie outfielder has made good on the promise that accompanied his Major League debut, smacking the ball around for a .329 average (28-for-85) with six homers, 19 runs scored, 18 RBIs and six swipes. His potent blend of power and speed make him a true asset in all formats.

Make that nine straight games in which McCutchen has hit safely. The entire streak has taken place at PNC Park, where he holds a .313 batting average on the year compared to a .264 mark on the road. Considering he'll likely be manning center field in PNC Park for many years to come, it's excellent to see that he's taken well to his home park.

A dramatic blast off the bat of McCutchen, who continues to make a strong case for NL Rookie of the Year with a .287 average, 50 runs scored, eight homers, 38 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Tuesday's effort extended his hit streak to seven games, which has included three steals in his last five contests.

McCutcheon accounted for nearly all of the Pirates offense Sunday in what was a team-wide listless attack against Homer Bailey and the Reds 'pen. The emerging 22-year-old has done all he can to help the Bucs out lately, slugging a Ruthian .559 in August with four homers, 11 RBIs and five steals, flashing the kinds of tools that should translate into even bigger things during his sophomore season next year.

McCutchen has rapped out a single base knock in each of his past five games and has been making them count by crossing home five times in his last three contests. The rookie outfielder is hitting .283 with seven homers and 13 steals on the year, and is sure to receive his share of votes for the NL Rookie of the Year Award after the season wraps up.

A veteran-like night for the rookie McCutchen, who earned three free passes for the first time in his career and helped turn them into runs by stealing the three bags. That’s exactly the kind of plate discipline owners want to see from a young talent like McCutchen, who’s batting .293 with seven homers, 12 steals and a formidable .359 on-base percentage in his first season.

The collision happened at first base in the first inning of Tuesday's game, when McCutchen was hit in the face by Chad Tracy's glove while running up the line. "They just want to make sure everything's fine," McCutchen said prior to Wednesday's action. "Everything's fine, they just want me to get a day off just to be safe. I figure I'll be in there tomorrow, if not some time later tonight." Jeff Salazar got the start in place of McCutchen, going 0-for-3 in the loss to the D-backs.