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A stolen base?



03/08/10 5:42 PM EST
McCutchen out to swipe more bases
Speedy Pirates outfielder plans to run whenever he can

By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates fans, get ready to watch Andrew McCutchen run.

Those in attendance at McKechnie Field on Saturday got a glimpse of McCutchen's intent to become even more aggressive on the basepaths this year. McCutchen reached first three times against the Phillies on Saturday, and twice, he took off to steal second.

The fact that McCutchen was only successful in one of the two attempts is a moot point. The key is that he's running. And he's planning on doing more of it all year.

"It's something you've got to work on if you're going to bring it in the season," McCutchen said. "Spring Training is the time to do it. I'm going to go out there and every opportunity I get, I'm going to go."

McCutchen swiped 22 bases in 27 attempts during his four months in Pittsburgh last season. Asked if he had a number in mind for his first full year in the Majors, McCutchen declined to offer one. He just plans for it to be significantly more.

"We'd like for him to be able to run more and get himself in scoring position," manager John Russell said. "The guys we have in the middle of our lineup now, we feel real confident that we can get some baserunners moving."

Though no one has questioned his speed, McCutchen wasn't as active on the bases in the Minors as some might have expected. His career high in steals came in 2008, when he was success in 34 of 53 attempts. It was an aspect of his game that management cited as needing refinement.

McCutchen has dedicated himself to studying more film of opposing pitchers to pick up on delivery nuances that he might be able to use to his advantage. He is also being particularly cognizant of his first step this spring and taking slightly bigger leads.

"I know it's something that I can do," he said. "I know I can steal more bags. It's just going and getting more comfortable with myself and knowing when I can steal and when I can't. It's just working."

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I am very hopeful that McCutchen will steal more bases in 2010. If he wants to become the best leadoff hitter in baseball, which in my opinion, he has the potential to be, then he has to steal more bases. We’re not in an era where stolen bases are considered that important, like say in the 1980’s. We’re not in a super power era either, but a hybrid. So Cutch doesn’t have to steal 100 bases to have a successful season. If he can steal somewhere between 40-50 bases in 45-55 attempts, then I will be more than happy.

We’re obviously in the full swing of Spring Training, and so far, the Pirates are not doing too badly. You can’t put any stock in Spring Training wins and losses; the key is to see how the team does in situations. So far, the pitching has been very good and I think that is something you have to enjoy seeing. Pirates pitching and more specifically, the bullpen cost them a lot of games in 2009. It is pivotal that the bullpen improves, if this team is going to win in 2010.

The offense has been a typical Spring Training offense. Some games it looks dominant, 15 runs against the Twins, and sometimes it looks anemic, 0 runs against the Yankees. That’s the nature of Spring Training. Batters are still adjusting to seeing pitches again, and honestly up until near the end of Spring Training, pitchers usually have a large advantage over the hitters. For the most part, I like what I am seeing from the Pirates in Spring Training. We do look better than we did last season, and I remain cautiously optimistic for the 2010 season.