Andrew McCutchen is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2013. McCutchen played primarily as an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants during his career, which spanned from 2009 to 2021.
In his MVP-winning season, McCutchen put up some incredible offensive numbers, leading the National League in several key statistical categories.
However, his success in 2013 was not just limited to his individual performance – McCutchen was also a key leader on the Pirates’ team, which made the playoffs for the first time in over two decades.
In this blog post, we will examine how Andrew McCutchen won the MVP award in 2013 and what made him a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.
Andrew Mccutchen’s 2013 Season
Andrew McCutchen’s 2013 season was one of the best of his career, and it ultimately earned him the National League MVP award. He played in 157 games and had 583 plate appearances, putting up the following impressive statistics:
Batting average: .317
On-base percentage: .404
Slugging percentage: .508
Home runs: 21
RBIs: 84
Stolen bases: 27
McCutchen’s batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage were all league-leading numbers. He was also one of just six players in the National League to hit 20 or more home runs and steal 20 or more bases that season.
When compared to other top players in the National League that year, McCutchen’s numbers were truly exceptional. He finished first in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, and was in the top five in home runs, stolen bases, runs scored, and walks.
Other notable players that season included Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who hit .302 with 36 home runs and 125 RBIs, and Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals, who hit .319 with 12 home runs and 80 RBIs.
McCutchen’s offensive performance was a major contributor to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ success in 2013. The team finished with a record of 94-68, which was their first winning season since 1992.
McCutchen was a key factor in the team’s success, helping to lead them to their first playoff appearance in over two decades. In fact, McCutchen had several clutch performances down the stretch that helped the Pirates secure a playoff spot.
For example, he hit a walk-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in August, and he hit a two-run double in the 9th inning of a crucial game against the Cincinnati Reds in September.
Overall, McCutchen’s exceptional offensive performance and leadership on the field were crucial in helping the Pittsburgh Pirates achieve success in 2013.
Mccutchen’s Offensive Prowess
McCutchen’s offensive prowess in 2013 was truly remarkable, as he led the National League in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. But what do these statistics actually mean, and how are they calculated?
Batting average is simply the number of hits a player gets divided by the number of at-bats he has. It’s an important measure of a player’s ability to make contact with the ball and get on base.
On-base percentage (OBP) is a measure of a player’s ability to get on base and avoid making outs. It takes into account not only hits, but also walks and hit-by-pitches. A player’s OBP is calculated by adding his hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches, and then dividing that total by his total plate appearances.
Slugging percentage (SLG) is a measure of a player’s ability to hit for extra bases, as it takes into account not only singles, but also doubles, triples, and home runs.
It’s calculated by adding up the total number of bases a player gets from his hits, and then dividing that total by his total number of at-bats.
McCutchen’s 2013 numbers in these three categories were truly exceptional, as he had a .317 batting average, a .404 OBP, and a .508 SLG. These numbers indicate that McCutchen was not only a consistent hitter, but also had the ability to hit for power and get on base frequently.
In fact, McCutchen was one of only a few players in the history of baseball to record a batting average of .310 or higher, an OBP of .400 or higher, and a SLG of .500 or higher in a single season.
When compared to McCutchen’s career averages, his 2013 season stands out as one of his best. Over the course of his career, McCutchen has a .285 batting average, a .374 OBP, and a .469 SLG.
While these numbers are certainly impressive, they don’t quite match up to his 2013 MVP-winning season.
Additionally, when compared to other MVP-winning seasons, McCutchen’s 2013 campaign ranks among the best in history. In fact, only a few players in baseball history have recorded a season with a higher batting average, OBP, and SLG than McCutchen did in 2013.
Mccutchen’s Defensive Skills
While McCutchen is known for his offensive prowess, he’s also been a strong defender throughout his career. As an outfielder, he’s known for his range, arm strength, and overall defensive value.
Range is an important aspect of outfield defense, as it refers to a player’s ability to cover ground and make plays on balls hit in his direction. McCutchen has always been a strong defender in terms of range, as he’s been able to cover a lot of ground in center field throughout his career.
His speed and agility have allowed him to make difficult catches and get to balls that other outfielders may not be able to reach.
Arm strength is another important aspect of outfield defense, as it refers to a player’s ability to make strong and accurate throws from the outfield.
McCutchen has a strong arm, and he’s been able to make a number of impressive throws throughout his career to help his team prevent runners from advancing or scoring.
Overall, defensive value is a complex metric that takes into account a number of different factors, including range, arm strength, and defensive runs saved (DRS).
DRS is a statistic that measures a player’s defensive contributions in terms of the number of runs he saves compared to an average player at his position.
According to DRS, McCutchen has been a solid defender throughout his career, saving a total of 41 runs from 2009 to 2020. This places him among the top outfielders in baseball during that time period.
When compared to other outfielders, McCutchen’s defensive abilities stack up favorably. While he may not be the best defensive outfielder in the league, his combination of range, arm strength, and overall defensive value make him a valuable asset to any team.
Additionally, his strong offensive performance only adds to his overall value as a player.
Leadership and Team Success
McCutchen’s leadership and positive attitude were crucial to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ success during the 2013 season. As one of the team’s most talented and experienced players, he took on a leadership role both on and off the field.
On the field, McCutchen set an example for his teammates with his work ethic and determination. He consistently worked hard and gave his all during every game, which inspired his teammates to do the same.
Additionally, he was always willing to help his teammates and offer advice, which helped to create a positive team atmosphere.
Off the field, McCutchen was also a strong leader. He was known for his positive attitude and his ability to keep the team loose and focused during difficult times.
He was always willing to talk to his teammates and offer support, which helped to build strong relationships and a sense of camaraderie among the players.
Overall, McCutchen’s leadership and positive attitude played a significant role in the Pirates’ success during the 2013 season. The team went on to win 94 games and make the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years, and McCutchen was a key part of that success.
This success undoubtedly influenced the MVP voting, as the award is typically given to a player who not only puts up impressive individual statistics, but also contributes to his team’s success.
McCutchen’s strong offensive performance and leadership abilities made him a clear choice for the award, as he helped to lead the Pirates to their first winning season and playoff appearance in over two decades.
Andrew Mccutchen’s Statistics During His 2013 Mvp-winning Season
| Statistic | Andrew McCutchen’s 2013 Season |
|---|---|
| Batting average | .317 |
| On-base percentage | .404 |
| Slugging percentage | .508 |
| Home runs | 21 |
| RBI | 84 |
| Stolen bases | 27 |
| WAR (Wins Above Replacement) | 8.2 |
This table summarizes some of the key statistics that helped Andrew McCutchen win the MVP award in 2013.
The WAR statistic is a measure of a player’s overall value, taking into account both offensive and defensive contributions, and McCutchen’s WAR of 8.2 was the highest in the National League that season.
FAQs
What other awards has Andrew McCutchen won in his career?
Andrew McCutchen has won a number of awards throughout his career, including multiple Gold Glove Awards, Silver Slugger Awards, and All-Star selections. He was also named the National League Player of the Month twice during the 2013 season.
Was Andrew McCutchen the first Pirates player to win the MVP award?
No, Andrew McCutchen was not the first Pirates player to win the MVP award. The team has had several MVP winners in its history, including Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Barry Bonds, and Jason Bay.
Did Andrew McCutchen have any significant injuries during the 2013 season?
No, Andrew McCutchen was fortunate to avoid any significant injuries during the 2013 season. He played in 157 games and was able to maintain a high level of performance throughout the year.
Did the Pirates make the playoffs in 2013?
Yes, the Pittsburgh Pirates made the playoffs in 2013 thanks to their strong performance during the regular season. They faced the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card Game and won 6-2, but ultimately lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Series.
What has Andrew McCutchen done since his MVP-winning season?
Since winning the MVP award in 2013, Andrew McCutchen has continued to be a productive and respected player in the league. He has played for several teams, including the Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and most recently, the New York Yankees. He has also been involved in various charitable and philanthropic efforts throughout his career.
Conclusion
Andrew McCutchen’s MVP-winning season in 2013 was the result of his outstanding offensive performance, solid defensive abilities, leadership skills, and positive attitude.
His offensive numbers were among the best in the National League, and he played a key role in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ success that season.
In addition to his impressive individual statistics, McCutchen’s leadership and positive attitude helped to create a strong team atmosphere and a winning culture.
All of these factors contributed to his MVP win, and cemented his place as one of the most talented and respected players in the game today.
