The Milwaukee Brewers big free agent signing prior to the start of the 2022 season was veteran hitter Andrew McCutchen. At that time he was coming off a 27 home run, 80 RBI, and 108 wRC+ season with the Philadelphia Phillies. In Milwaukee he went through several hot and cold streaks but ultimately did not produce as much as expected.
Having agreed to a one year $8.5 million deal with Milwaukee the veteran elected to return to Pittsburgh on a one year $5.0 million contract for the 2023 season. One reason why he decided to return was because of what he witnessed from his eyes as a Brewers player.
“There is something I saw in this ballclub, specifically last year. I got to come in and play against the Pittsburgh Pirates a few times and looking from the other end, being on the Milwaukee Brewers, I’m like, ‘Man, this team is special. There’s something special about this club.’”
“They were beating us. They’re part of the reason we didn’t make it to the playoffs last year. It’s a special ballclub. So to be able to come back and help in any way that I can, I’m looking forward to it. And I’m looking forward to just being back in front of these fans in Pittsburgh and making this place that I’ve always called home be my home on the field in the ballpark again.”
Through the first two and a half months of the 2023 season the Pittsburgh Pirates are in contention for the National League Central division title. Andrew McCutchen has played a big part in that and also recently reached a major career milestone in hits.
Ex-Brewers player Andrew McCutchen collected his 2,000 career hit as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
During the first inning of Sunday’s game against the New York Mets Andrew McCutchen began the game with a lead off single. This base knock off of Carlos Carrasco was his 2,000 career hit. Coincidentally his first ever career hit came against the Mets as well in 2009.
Since returning to Pittsburgh Andrew McCutchen has been a different hitter. This year he has a .264/.379/.425 slash line with a 15.7% walk rate and 122 wRC+. The Pirates will need him to continue to produce if they want to continue on their quest for the playoffs.
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