Andrew McCutchen now owns an unusual MLB distinction

Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Andrew McCutchen. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Pirates' Andrew McCutchen owns an unusual MLB distinction after win over Reds

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/30/23

The Pittsburgh Pirates opened the 2023 season with a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, and veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen made some unusual history.

In the top of the third inning, McCutchen faced a fastball from Reds starter Hunter Greene clocked at 105.2 MPH. If that wasn't terrifying enough, McCutchen was also in the batter's box for Aroldis Chapman's 105.8 MPH pitch in 2016, the fastest in MLB history. That means McCutchen has had a front-row seat for the two fastest pitches ever recorded. Ironically enough, both occurred against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Shoutout to Andrew McCutchen, who has now seen a:

- 105.8 MPH fastball from Aroldis Chapman in 2010
- 105.2 MPH fastball from Hunter Greene in 2022

Both against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park pic.twitter.com/VGP6teK4DY
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) March 30, 2023

Undeterred by Greene's flame-throwing right arm, McCutchen forced the youngster to throw him eight pitches, ultimately drawing a walk.

Overall, McCutchen had a solid day for the Pirates. Batting in the three-hole, McCutchen finished 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and three walks.

On Thursday, McCutchen donned a Pirates jersey for the first time in five seasons. A former first-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2005 MLB Draft, McCutchen spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Pirates before a trade sent him to the San Francisco Giants during the 2018 season.

In January, McCutchen inked a one-year, $5 million deal to return to Pittsburgh.

McCutchen made his major league debut in 2009 with the Pirates, quickly becoming one of the most feared hitters in the National League. A five-time All-Star, McCutchen finished among the top five in the NL MVP voting four times, winning the award in 2013.

Entering his 15th MLB season, the 37-year-old has tallied 1,948 hits, 287 home runs and 1,002 RBI with the Pirates, Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. However, now on the backend of his career, his most important at-bats may be ahead, helping lead a young Pirates team as a veteran back where it all began 14 years ago.

More must-reads: