NewsMcCutchen is Baseball America's ROY
Publication recognizes Pirates outfielder's stellar debut
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
10/26/09 3:16 PM EST
A dynamic first season in the big leagues has earned Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen Baseball America's 2009 Major League Rookie of the Year Award. The award was announced on Monday, and McCutchen is currently featured on the cover of the publication's most recent issue. 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. The 23-year-old McCutchen's 47 extra-base hits led NL rookies, and he ranked second among NL rookies in multihit games (36), runs, walks and total bases (204). He was third in RBI, third in stolen bases, third in slugging percentage (.471), third in doubles, fifth in batting and fourth in on-base percentage. Pittsburgh's first-round Draft choice in 2005 (11th overall), McCutchen was the lineup's leadoff hitter in every game he played this season and hit four leadoff homers in the first inning. He was the first Pirates player to achieve that feat since Al Martin hit six leadoff homers in 1999. Another Pirates player was also honored by Baseball America. Garrett Jones was named to the 2009 All-Rookie team as a first baseman. Jones batted .293 and led all Major League rookies with 21 home runs. He also notched 44 RBIs in his 82 games.Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
