Fansided

Andrew McCutchen tries to score from second on a grounder and gets thrown out

By Clint Boyte

May 3, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen round the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen round the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen tries to score from second on a grounder and gets thrown out.

Andrew McCutchen will be one of the hottest names in baseball the closer the trade deadline gets this season. The five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and 2013 National League MVP has talent. There is no denying this fact.

However, as one of the lone bright spots on a Pittsburgh Pirates team sitting in fifth place in the National League Central Division, McCutchen has resorted to taking games into his own hand this season. Or at least he is trying to force game-changing plays.

Notice McCutchen simply shrug off 3rd base coach Rick Sofield’s indication to stop at third base. I would like to imagine his thought process went something like this:

*McCutchen starts sprinting from second the moment he sees the ball come off the bat*
*Sofield signals to stop at 3rd base*

“Forget this guy. Speed? I am speed.” Thought McCutchen.

At the time of the play, Pittsburgh was only down one run, making the error less amusing and more infuriating for Pirates fans. Of course, even the best athletes make blunders sometimes, but that didn’t stop some on Twitter from being critical.

McCutchen is batting a lowly .205 average and struggling out of the gate this season. If this were the McCutchen of years past it would be easier to laugh this off as a simple “Not Top-10” play, but statistically low output thus far this season combined with this can’t help his already diminishing trade value. Any team making a move for McCutchen this season will be banking on the idea that a change of scenery will help light a spark that will allow the former All-Star to return to his former glory.

Next: Best MLB player from each state

On the bright side, McCutchen seemed to be able to laugh his mistake off and realized immediately he would be the focus of jokes on social media for the evening. Here’s to hoping he can keep that attitude and bounce back this season. Love the hustle, Andrew.

Home/Pittsburgh Pirates