Prospect McCutchen in a groove

Prospect McCutchen in a groove

PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates' first-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, is on a tear at Triple-A Indianapolis. McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three RBIs to power Indianapolis to a 4-1 win over Louisville on Friday night.

McCutchen's third-inning blast, which extended his International League-best hitting streak to 13 games, was his team-leading fifth homer of the season. The 21-year-old top outfield prospect and Indians leadoff hitter belted 11 dingers and collected 53 RBIs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2007.

McCutchen is in a groove, and he was looking for a fastball when he homered.

"The pitch was a fastball, and I was sitting on it," he said. "I put a good barrel on it, and was fortunate enough to hit it out of the park. I'm a fastball hitter, so those are the pitches I'm going to sit on. If it's in my area, I'm going to swing at it. Things worked out well tonight."

McCutchen came into play on Saturday hitting .294 with 14 RBIs. He's awaiting his first promotion to the big leagues, but he isn't looking ahead or putting pressure on himself.

"I block it out," McCutchen told the Indianapolis Star. "You have to worry about now. You don't worry about what's happening up there. In order for you to get there, you basically have to do well here. God forbid something happens to someone up there, and that would be the reason you go. I want the reason why I go is because I perform here, that the coaches and everyone up there can see that."
