Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (22) runs off a three-run home run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Pirates Veteran Makes Franchise History Despite Lack of Hits

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Sam Connon | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 10:38 AM ET

Andrew McCutchen has always been a master of getting on base, and that hasn't changed in the twilight years of his big league career.

The 38-year-old designated hitter is hitless over his last five games, as he hasn't notched an actual base hit since Aug. 6 against the San Francisco Giants. And yet, the Pittsburgh Pirates veteran has seven walks over that stretch, giving him a .438 on-base percentage across his last five appearances.

According to Underdog Fantasy's Justin Havens, McCutchen is the only player in MLB this season and the first Pirates player in nearly 24 years to record zero hits and at least seven walks over a five-game stretch within a single season. The last time somebody accomplished the bizarre feat in Pittsburgh was when Brian Giles did so from Oct. 2 to 7 in 2001.

Andrew McCutchen is the only player in MLB this season and the first Pirates player since Brian Giles from Oct. 2-7, 2001 to have a 5-game stretch within a single season featuring 7+ BB but 0 hits.
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) August 15, 2025

McCutchen is batting .243 with 11 home runs, 16 doubles, 40 RBIs, a .707 OPS and 0.4 WAR so far in 2025. That puts him on pace for one of his least productive seasons since he made his MLB debut all the way back in 2009, and a far cry from his five consecutive All-Star appearances from 2011 to 2015.

At his peak, McCutchen was an MVP, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner, posting an on-base percentage of .400 or higher for four seasons in a row. His numbers tailed off when he started to bounce around between the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers, though, and they haven't exactly bounced back since his return to Pittsburgh.

But as the longtime face of the Pirates, McCutchen remains a fan-favorite. And while he is long past his prime, the Hall of Fame hopeful still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

McCutchen and the Pirates open a series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, looking to snap a five-game losing streak. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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