Off Day Meet a Prospect Special Edition: Andrew McCutchen

The New York Yankees needed an outfielder before the August 31^st trading deadline with the recent injuries to Didi Gregorius, Aaron Judge and others and the outfielder they chose was former Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants player Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen brings a certain veteran presence and swag to a young Yankees club in the midst of a pennant race and is the perfect choice for this particular team in my opinion, so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect Special Edition for this off day, the Andrew McCutchen Edition.

Andrew Stefan McCutchen was born on October 10, 1986 in Fort Meade, Florida to Lorenzo McCutchen and Petrina Swan. Andrew’s father was a start running back with the Carson-Newman University football tea, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, but quickly gave up his dream to head to the NFL to be closer to his son and to Andrew’s sister, Loren. Instead Lorenzo helped Andrew follow his dream of being a professional baseball player and led Andrew to becoming eligible to play varsity baseball as an eight grader at Fort Meade High School. That season McCutchen hit .591 for the school’s team while also playing football and running track. McCutchen was one of the top football recruits in the state of Florida but ultimately decided to continue playing baseball, a decision that led him to the University of Florida and eventually to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

With the 11^th overall pick in the 2005 MLB First Year Players Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Andrew McCutchen out of the University of Florida, immediately assigning the center fielder to their minor league affiliate. McCutchen spent four seasons in the Minor Leagues and was a Top 50 prospect in all four seasons according to Baseball America including a #13 ranking before the 2007 season. On June 9, 2009 the Pirates called up McCutchen to the big leagues after trading away starting center fielder Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves. McCutchen made his MLB debut the very next day against the New York Mets. McCutchen singled in his first at-bat off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey and ended the day with two singles, one RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in a Pirates victory. McCutchen finished his rookie campaign with a .286 batting average, 12 home runs, 54 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 108 games, finishing fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year Award voting.

McCutchen was back on the Pirates big league club on Opening Day in 2010 and never looked back. While McCutchen had a strong 2010 campaign he did not make his first All-Star Game appearance until the 2011 season, replacing injured Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers. McCutchen was rewarded for his strong 2011 campaign with a new six-year deal worth $51.5 million to stay with the Pirates through his arbitration years that also came with a $14.75 million club option for the 2018 season. McCutchen was also named to the National League All-Star team for the second time in 2012 while also representing the Pirates in the 2012 Home Run Derby, replacing Giancarlo Stanton. McCutchen only hit four home runs and failed to make it out of the first round of the derby that year, but overall had a great season for Pittsburgh that resulted in a third-place finish in the National League MVP Award vote.

McCutchen was the cover athlete for the Playstation game MLB 13: The Show before the 2013 season beating out Yankees starter CC Sabathia for the honors. McCutchen also made another All-Star team in 2013 as a reserve for the National League, his third straight season being honored in the mid-season classic. 2013 also marked the first season that the Pittsburgh Pirates had a winning season and clinched a playoff birth since Barry Bonds led the Pirates to the postseason in 1992. The Pirates were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in five games that season, but McCutchen was named the NL’s Most Valuable Player for the 2013 season after hitting .317 with 21 home runs, 84 RBI and stealing 28 bases. McCutchen was the first Pirates MVP award winner since Bonds won the award back in 1992. The Pirates were back in the postseason in 2014 behind another strong campaign from Andrew McCutchen, but this time the team ran into Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants. Mad-Bum was able to shut out the Pirates, thus ending McCutchen’s season after a fourth straight All-Star Game appearance and a second consecutive trip to the postseason.

Another year in 2015 and another trip to the All-Star Game for McCutchen and a third straight playoff appearance for the Pirates. In the All-Star Game the Pirates center fielder hit a home run off then Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer to become only the fifth member of the Pirates to ever hit a home run in an All-Star Game, joining a few familiar names in Ralph Kiner, Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente and Dave Parker. McCutchen also joined Clemente in the hearts and minds of the Pirates fans in 2015 after being named the winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, thus becoming the first Pirate to win the honor since Willie Stargell in 1974. Unfortunately, the Pirates season ended once again in the Wild Card round after a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta. 2015 was a high for McCutchen, and 2016 began the decline for the Pirates center fielder. McCutchen finished the 2016 campaign with a .256 batting average, his lowest-ever batting average at this point in his career, and just 24 home runs.

McCutchen was dangled in trades after the 2016 season and was reportedly almost dealt to the Washington Nationals before the 2017 season before the deal fell through. McCutchen represented Team USA as a member of the Pirates before the 2017 season and was a huge part of the team that won their first ever World Baseball Classic gold medal for the United States. McCutchen continued to decline in 2017 somewhat finishing the season with a .279/.363/.486 with 28 home runs in his final season with the Pirates. Before the 2018 season the Pittsburgh Pirates sent McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants in a trade for Kyle Crick, Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 of international bonus slot money. McCutchen hoped to lead the revitalized Giants to the postseason as a right fielder, but San Francisco quickly fell out of the playoff chase leading McCutchen to be traded for the second time during the 2018 season, this time to the New York Yankees.

On August 31 of this season the Yankees acquired McCutchen from the Giants for infielder Abiatal Avelino and RHP Juan De Paula. McCutchen shaved his beard to join the Yankees and changed his jersey number from 22, the number he had worn throughout his entire career, to 26 since Jacoby Ellsbury currently wears #26 for the Yankees. McCutchen is now playing right field for the Yankees in the absence of the injured Aaron Judge and also appears to be learning left field before the Yankees series with the Seattle Mariners starts inside Safeco Field this weekend in Seattle.

Welcome to the organization, Andrew, and also a huge welcome to the Yankees family from everyone here at The Greedy Pinstripes. Enjoy your stay because you never know, we may be seeing you in 2019 as well. Stay well, Cutch.

Yankees Acquire Andrew McCutchen

The New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giantss have agreed on a deal that will send Andrew McCutchen to the Bronx for infield prospect Abiatal Avelino and another prospect. Welcome to the Bronx, Cutch!

More to come, stay tuned...

Underrated Prospects in the Yankees Farm System

Although this is up for debate and will be debated for many years to come it is my opinion that the New York Yankees have a strong farm system. While the Yankees aren't producing players like Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor that come in and win Rookie of the Year Awards and make huge impacts seen across the leagues the Yankees would rather do it their own way. The Yankee way. The way that leaves the team better than it was before whether they get the national media attention or not. We saw this last season with Luis Severino, Greg Bird and all the members of the Scranton Shuttle in the bullpen and we're likely to see it again this season from Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and likely James Kaprielian. These names you know but here are a few of the underrated guys I feel that are in the Yankees system today.

Abiatal Avelino has already been showcased once on our Top 29 Prospects list but he deserves another mention this morning after a very solid 2015 campaign. Avelino played in both Charleston and Tampa last season and stole 54 bases combined, all at just 20-years old. Avelino is a ground ball hitter currently but hes just beginning to grow into his body and the power began to show its face in 2015. Whether his power ever translates into the majors is up for debate but the fact that his defense is awesome and his contact rates are even better make his future look bright regardless.


Kendall Coleman is a friend of mine and has been very gracious and friendly to us here at the blog since the day he was drafted. That may make me a little bias although I don't believe so and I'm here to tell you why. Coleman is also just 20-years old and has battled injuries in his first three seasons with the club but his power is starting to show its face as well as his plate discipline and defense. Coleman is still growing into his 6'4" frame and is still packing on power and his ceiling is unlimited, all he has to do is stay healthy.


Thairo Estrada made the cut for our Top 29 Prospects list after another strong season with the organization. Estrada played in Staten Island in the New York-Penn League and finished the season with a .267 average at just 19-years old. While being the youngest player in the league he still led the team in doubles while making contact almost every single at bat. He has speed, he has defense and he reminds me a lot of Derek Jeter in the way he plays in the field. His future may be at second base but that's not a knock on his ability to stay at shortstop it is more of a praise on his speed, athleticism and the state of the Yankees system currently.


The final underrated player for me is Estevan Florial and that's only because of where he is in the Yankees system. Coleman needs to stay healthy and Avelino and Estrada need to put on some bulk and grow into their bodies but the only thing Florial has going against him was that he did it in the Dominican Summer League. Florial hit .313 with 15 stolen bases in 2015 but he wasn't one of those signing deals worth $1 million or more, Florial did that making a fraction of that. Florial has plus power and plus arm strength in the outfield and his future may be as a center fielder. His ceiling is the sky and that is a great bit of news for the New York Yankees.

TGP Top 29 Prospects List - #16 Abi Avelino

We're nearing the halfway point of this countdown and we're nearing the meat and potatoes of the New York Yankees farm system. The studs, the future stars and the good players that will fill a role and quietly have a great MLB career. As you near the Top 10 the players stop being so interchangeable and start being more discussion worthy although today we're only at #16. That doesn't mean that Abi Avelino's spot on the list and status within the organization is up for discussion but it does mean he is quite the Yankees talent at shortstop.

Avelino is yet another middle infielder New York has down on the farm. Avelino broke though as a shortstop but has played second base as well as the second base position looks to be locked down for quite some time by Didi Gregorius. Despite entering his fifth professional season with the Yankees Avelino will be just 21-years old for the entire 2016 season. Avelino spent much of his last season with the High-A Tampa Yankees meaning that he could begin knocking on the door with the Trenton Thunder on Opening Day 2016.

Avelino is a high contact guy, high batting average guy, high on-base percentage guy, stolen base threat, strong defender and basically everything else you would want out of a middle infielder coming up through your system. Avelino ranks ahead of Tyler Wade in my opinion and also sits ahead of Hoy-Jun Park while sitting behind Jorge Mateo for the top spot in the system. Avelino is not a name many casual fans know but his game, his ceiling and what he brings to the team and organization is anything but casual.


16. Abi Avelino
17. Hoy-Jun Park
18. Luis Torrens
19. Cale Coshow
20. Chance Adams
21. Miguel Andujar
22. Jonathan Holder
23. Tyler Wade
24. Nick Rumbelow
25.Jordan Montgomery
26.Trey Amburgey
27. Ben Gamel
28. Austin DeCarr
29. Thairo Estrada
30. James Pazos

Abi Avelino Named FSL Player of the Week

Abiatal Avelino Named FSL Player of the Week

Tampa, Fla. - The Florida State League named Tampa Yankees Infielder Abiatal Avelino Player of the Week today. This honor was for games played July 27 - August 2, 2015.


Avelino played in eight (8) games and collected 13 hits in 30 plate appearances for a .433 batting average. He had one (1) homerun, scored eight (8) times and had two (2) RBI's. He had six (6) stolen bases, an OBP of .452 and a slugging percentage of .533.


This is the third year of professional baseball for the 2011 non-drafted free agent from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.


The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information about the Tampa Yankees call (813) 673-3055 or visitwww.tybaseball.com.

Yankees Have $2.26M In International Spending Money for 2015/2016

The New York Yankees learned today that the team will have $2.26 million to spend in the 2015 - 2016 International signing period that starts on July 2. Since New York blew their cap out of the water during this signing period the Yankees cannot sign an individual player for more than $300,000 but the team still has a cap nonetheless. I think Mike Axisa of River Avenue Blues did the math and that means that the team can sign 7.5 players this signing period at $300K each without going over their spending limit.

Teams can trade up to half of their international cap by sending specific slot amounts, much like the draft is now slotted and capped, and New York may look to do that for the next two seasons since the team cannot make a big splash. Obviously this cash doesn't have all that much value but it is something, especially if it's used as a throw in and the difference in making a significant trade and not making a trade for instance.

This is not a doomsday scenario for New York though as the team signed Luis Severino for $225K, Jorge Mateo for $250K, Abi Avelino for $300K and Angel Aguilar for $60K in recent years.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 4/4

Avelino’s Offense Not Enough at Augusta

GreenJackets even series despite two runs and a run-scoring single from Abiatal Avelino

AUGUSTA, GA – Abiatal Avelino was responsible for all the Charleston RiverDogs offense with two runs scored and another batted in, but the Augusta GreenJackets claimed a 6-3 win on Friday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium in South Atlantic League action. The RiverDogs and GreenJackets are both 1-1 for the season with their series even at one game apiece. Charleston had won the series opener on Thursday.

Charleston scored in the first inning after benefitting from a rough start for Augusta’s Luis Ysla. Avelino received a one-out walk from Ysla and made it home on a stolen base and two wild pitches for a 1-0 RiverDogs advantage.

The GreenJackets answered quickly and took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the first. Randy Ortiz walked and Brandon Bednar singled to put runners at the corners. After Charleston’s Luis Severino induced a foul pop out, Ryan Tuntland hit a double that scored Ortiz and sent Bednar to third base. Bednar put Augusta in front by scoring on a wild pitch.

In the second inning, Augusta brought in another run with a double steal. Tyler Horan scored after Ortiz took off for second base, drawing a throw from RiverDogs catcher Luis Torrens. Horan’s run put the GreenJackets ahead 3-1.

Avelino answered for Charleston during the third inning to cut the deficit to 3-2. Avelino led off the top of the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a Mike Ford single. A pair of wild pitches from Ysla plated Avelino and kept the contest close.

Augusta was quieted by RiverDogs reliever Jaron Long until the fifth inning when its lead improved to 6-2. Bednar came in on a Ryder Jones double, and Tuntland and Jones scored after an error.

The RiverDogs threatened the GreenJackets in the final inning. Gosuke Katoh took a leadoff walk and was on second base with two outs when Avelino singled to score Katoh and cut Augusta’s lead to 6-3. Raymundo Montero came out of the bullpen to face Aaron Judge, who flew out to right field for the final out.

Matthew Lujan was credited with the victory. His record stands at 1-0 after firing four scoreless innings of relief. Severino is 0-1 after taking the loss. Montero earned his first save in the contest.

COMING UP: Game three of this four-game set is scheduled for 7:00pm on Saturday. The RiverDogs will start with RHP Giovanny Gallegos (0-0, 0.00) while the GreenJackets will counter with RHP Keury Mella (0-0, 0.00). Following the end of this series in Augusta, Charleston will return to The Joe for a seven-game homestand that starts on Monday, April 7. The RiverDogs host the Greenville Drive for Charleston’s grand Opening Night celebration, complete with $1 hot dogs and $1 beers presented by Coors. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/1ilrh7s

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original post can be seen HERE. 

Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #19

Continuing our look at The Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 prospects list as a part of Prospects Month we name our #19 prospect, Abiatal Avelino!

Here is the complete up to date list. Check back every day as the list fills out and we continue our look at the prospects in the New York Yankees system during Prospects Month here on TGP.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19. Abiatal Avelino
20. Rob Refsnyder
21. Nik Turley
22. Cito Culver
23. Ramon Flores
24. Mark Montgomery
25. Rookie Davis
26. Jake Cave
27. Ben Gamel
28. Angelo Gumbs

Baseball America's Top 10 Yankees Prospects

Baseball America has released their annual top 10 list of Yankees prospects and scouting reports for the players. The list is free for all, seen HERE, but you will need a subscription to read the scouting reports unfortunately. To save you the click here is the list from BA:

1. C Gary Sanchez

2. OF Slade Heathcott

3. OF Mason Williams

4. C JR Murphy

5. 3B Eric Jagielo

6. OF Aaron Judge

7. LHP Ian Clarkin

8. 1B Greg Bird

9. RHP Luis Severino

10. 2B Gosuke Katoh

First off I have some serious issues with this list and I do not agree whatsoever. The fact that Tyler Austin, taking a step back or not, is not even in the top 10 is a disgrace. Also the fact that Rafael DePaula did not make the top 10 is also a pretty serious snub in my eyes. Greg Bird is also a lot higher on my list, at least ahead of Aaron Judge and Ian Clarkin who I have later in my top 10. Oh well what can you do, to each their own right?

BA also released their list of top 15 players under 25 years old for the Yankees and the list, unsurprisingly, contains no current major league players. The top 10 on this list are identical to the top 10 listed above and are followed, in order, by LHP Manny Banuelos, SS Abiatal Avelino, RHP Jose Ramirez, RHP Jose Campos, and RHP Rafael DePaula.

Six Yankees Land On Top 20 Gulf Coast League Prospects List

Although it's only rookie ball, and the chances that these guys all make it to MLB are closer to "none" than "slim", it's still pretty cool that the Yankees placed six players on Baseball America's Top 20 Gulf Coast League Prospects list.

Thairo Estrada was 20th on the list, after hitting .278/.350/.432 this season. To that he added five triples and seven stolen bases, in only 50 games. Thairo only turns 18 next February, so there's plenty of time for him to improve and make an impact. Scouts point out that, along with playing great defense, Estrada is said to have excellent instincts as a hitter, with good bat control, leading to a lot of contact.

Luis Severino, who is actually in his second season with the Yankees, was #17. Luis had an ERA of 1.37 in the GCL before being promoted to the South Atlantic League (A ball). His WHIP was 0.835, and he struck out almost 11 batters per nine innings. He didn't fair so well in his low-A debut, but we'll hopefully hear more about him next season. Luis has a hard fastball, that at times touched 98, to go with a put-away slider. Severino's changeup has improved drastically this past season as well.

Gosuke Katoh, who was drafted in the 2nd round of this year's amateur draft, came in at # 15. Katoh had a very nice debut in pro ball, hitting .310/.402/.522, along with seven home runs, in his 50 games with the Gulf Coast Yankees. Gosuke also added 11 doubles and five triples. It hasn't been long, but he's made the Yankees look smart to have picked him in the draft. It's said that Katoh has incredible plate discipline and bat-to-ball ability, making him a tough out. Although he doesn't have the arm strength for shortstop, he fits very well at second base.

Like Severino, Abiatal Avelino is also in his second season as a Yankee prospect. The 18 year old was #13 on the list, but actually ended 2013 playing in the New York-Penn League (low-A ball). Before that Abi hit .400/.481/.586 in 17 games in the Gulf Coast League. He didn't fair so well in his debut in the New York-Penn league, batting .243/.303/.271, but nobody should be giving up on the talented shortstop.

Miguel Andujar, from the Dominican Republic, came in at #11. Miguel started his professional baseball career as a 17 year-old in 2012, and returned to the Gulf Coast League this past season. There, Andujar hit .323/.368/.496, to go with 4 home runs in only 34 games. Scouts have pointed out that Andujar has learned to hit to all fields this year, and doesn't chase pitches. His lack of power makes him questionable to stick at third base, but he has smooth hands, great footwork, and a very nice arm.

It should come as no surprise that the Yankee that finished the highest on Baseball America's list of Gulf Coast League prospects is a catcher. At #10 comes Luis Torrens, a 17 year-old Venezuelan. Although the numbers don't pop out at you (.241/.348/.299), but the Yankees gave him the most of any of their international signings last summer with $1.3 million. Scouts really like Torrens' approach to the plate, and ability to recognize pitches early. His swing is said to produce a natural loft, showing power potential.

On Friday Baseball America will release their list for the New York-Penn league. We'll let you know how that one looks.

Two Prospects In Dominican League Top Prospects List

Two New York Yankees prospects have been included in Ben Badler of Baseball America's top prospects list from the Dominican Summer League. Rafael DePaula, who seems like he has been in the Yankees system forever because he should have been in the system a long time ago, made the list to the surprise of nobody after making a strong professional debut as a starting pitcher last season. He is expected to move through the Yankees system rather quickly and will definitely be stateside in 2013. Yankees SS Abiatal Avelino is also on the list after signing for $300K back in 2011. Avelino is also expected to come state side in 2013 with the Charleston Riverdogs so watch out for both of these guys.

Prospects : Top 10 DSL Players To Come To US In '13

Greg Corcoran over at Bronx Baseball Daily did it again with his Top 10 Yankees DSL players that could come stateside in 2013. Go over and see the original post HERE and give Greg some love and some views but with his permission here is the write up for your reading enjoyment. For the full write up click the link and head over to BBD.

There have been whispers that the Yankees are likely to have another rookie league team for 2013. The GCL rosters are filled three ways. The amateur draft, the DSL, and miscellaneous signings.With that, the Dominican Summer League, which is where the Yankees keep their young international talent to develop them for baseball in the USA, is going to play an even more important role in the Yankees farm system. Luckily the system is stocked with talent in their baseball program in the Dominican Republic, which has to be one of the major reasons for the decision to create another GCL team.

This list does not include new signees, or anyone who didn’t play at least a game in the Dominican Summer League this year. One caveat to this list is that you have to take DSL statistics with a grain of salt. They are still somewhat important, but the season is short and the competition doesn’t compare with rookie ball. It’s a big jump.

10. Erick Canela (Dominican Republic), RHP

9. Jose Figueroa, OF (Mexico)

8. Chris Cabrera, RHP (Dominican Republic)

7. Renzo Martini, 1B (Venezuela) 

6. Wilmer Romero, OF (Dominican Republic)

5. Abiatal Avelino, SS (Dominican Republic)

4. Christopher Tamarez, 3B (Dominican Republic)

3. Luis Severino, RHP (Dominican Republic)

2. Dallas Martinez, RHP (Mexico)

1. Rafael DePaula, RHP (Dominican Republic)

Other names to watch out for: Brian Cuevas (SS out of the Dominican Republic) Luis Torrens (catcher just signed out of Venezuela), Yancarlos Baez (SS signed out of the Dominican Republic), Jesus Aparicio (C out of Venezuela), Simon De La Rosa (RHP just signed out of the Dominican Republic), Daniel Vavrusa (C out of the Czech Republic) Omar Luis Rodriguez (LHP signed from Cuba for $4 million), Alexander Palma (OF signed out of Venezuela).

Some of these other guys could be coming over in 2013 or 2014. If Omar Luis Rodriguez gets his visa issues taken care of, he’ll be in the states as well. As you can see there is a wealth of talent in the Dominican Republic right now.  The sense is that most other teams in the league are really impressed with what the Yankees are doing at that level. If they continue to pump out solid prospects at the current rate, the Yankees will have a real surplus of top prospect talent in the not so distant future.