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Andrew McCutchen 2020 Outlook: Primed To Rebound After Injury-Shortened Year
5 years agoAndrew McCutchen was putting together a fine 2019 campaign before an ACL tear in June put an abrupt end to his first season in Philadelphia. In 59 games, the former NL MVP slashed .256/.378/.457 with 10 HR, 45 R, 29 RBI, and two SB as the everyday leadoff hitter for the Phillies. McCutchen settled into his role atop the lineup with tremendous plate discipline metrics, establishing new career-highs in walk rate (16.4%) and O-Swing% (17.7%), both numbers that led all NL hitters before his injury. Other than a more patient approach, he hovered around his lifetime marks with a 40.9% Hard Hit% and 90.6 MPH Exit Velocity, nothing mind-bending but numbers that put him well above the league average. Other than Bryce Harper, McCutchen has the best on-base ability on the team and is poised to return to the leadoff spot for the Phillies under new manager Joe Girardi in 2020. Last year was the first time all decade that McCutchen played fewer than 146 games, so his injury shouldn’t deter us from calling his name in drafts next season. He’s certainly not the perennial All-Star he once was, but the 33-year-old can still post commendable counting stats that can play as a third or fourth outfield option.
