Andrew credits his father for instilling in him the character and determination that have not only helped him seize his potential, but also serve as the foundation of a makeup that scouts universally grade as above-average.

Size shouldn't be a factor when it comes to Andrew. He doesn't expect his size to keep him from reaching the big leagues either.

"I'm not the only small guy out there," said McCutchen. "There are plenty of people who play in the big leagues who are as big as I am. I'm sure as I get stronger and develop I'll develop into a bigger player. That's kind of scary thinking about that.

"My parents taught me ever since I was little to always be a humble person," said McCutchen. "The Lord God blessed me with all of these talents and all of these abilities. He can also easily take them away."

Andrew's first job was as a bank custodian.

June 13, 2005: Andrew signed with the Pirates organization for a bonus of $1.9 million after they drafted him in the first round, out of Fort Meade High School High School in Florida. Rob Sidwell was the scout who signed him. 

McCutchen was rated the second best prospect in the Pirates organization by Baseball America during the off-season before 2006 spring training. And in the spring of 2007, they rated Andrew as the #1 prospect in the Pittsburgh farm system. And he was back at #1 in the Pirate organization in the spring of 2008.

In the winter before 2009 spring training, the magazine had Andrew at 2nd-best in the Pittsburgh farm system, behind only Pedro Alvarez.

McCutchen is a hard worker. And he is very coachable.

During 2006 spring training, Pirates manager Jim Tracy described McCutchen as, "Instinctive. Poised. For a kid of his age, he's off the charts. He's going to be a good Major League player someday, a really good Major League player."

Andrew didn't get tired at the end of the 2006 season, and he believes it is because he gets his rest and eats right.

"It's a big advantage to know how to cook," McCutchen said. "Our family has always eaten healthy, but being out on my own for the first time, I can still make things that are good for me. I don't fall into any bad habits of eating fast food all the time." (John Perrotto-Beaver Valley Times-September, 2006)

During 2007 spring training with the Pirates, McCutchen was in 18 games, hitting .308 average (16 for 52), sixth-highest among those Pirates with at least 30 at-bats. But he was still sent to minor league camp.

He has leadership ability. And his teammates pull for Andrew because he is such a good guy. He has the personality to be both a fan favorite and a leader. He has a warm smile and a good sense of humor off the field. On the field, he plays with great joy but is also a fierce competitor who takes losing and personal failure to heart. (John Perrotto-Baseball America-10/28/09)

"I want to be consistent," Andrew said. "I believe consistency is something all big leaguers have, and that it's something that keeps some players away from the big leagues.

"Even if the hits aren't there, I want to have productive at-bats, draw walks, steal bases and score runs. Even if you don't have a hit, you can have a productive day," McCutchen said.

Andrew is thankful to have the occupation he has.

"I have to pray before my games because God is the one who got me in the position that I'm in now. I have to thank Him for that," McCutchen said.

Andrew says his favorite restaurant is Texas de Brazil, a chain of Brazilian-style steakhouses.

For music, he likes Rap (especially Lil Wayne), R&B and Gospel.

He doesn't drink alcohol at all.

McCutchen says he would like to meet Eddie Murphy.

McCutchen showed great maturity in his rookie season of 2009 with the Pirates as he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on June 4 and given the difficult task of replacing center fielder Nate McLouth, who had been traded to Atlanta the night before after winning the Gold Glove and playing in his first All-Star Game in 2008.

"He wasn't awed by the big leagues," Doumit told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. "He was up for four months and there was never a time where he struggled for an extended period. He didn't play like a rookie. He played like a 10-year veteran."

McCutchen also showed the ability to come through in the clutch, particularly on Aug. 25 against Philadelphia when he stepped to the plate against closer in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 4-4, none out and teammate Brandon Moss on second base. After misplaying Shane Victorino's line drive in the top of the ninth that enabled the Phillies to tie the game, McCutchen was just looking to hit a ball to right side to advance Moss to third but instead drove a 96-mph fastball into the right-center field seats for a game-winning two-run home run.

"It was the perfect at-bat," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "He did the right thing mechanically and mentally, and he mis-hit the ball and won the game with a home run. That sounds silly to say but he was trying to hit a line drive to the gap and he was under it by a shade, and it left the ballpark."

McCutchen developed a close friendship with fellow outfielder Lastings Milledge after he was acquired from the Nationals in a trade during the 2009 season. Both players were first-round draft picks as high school seniors in Florida, Milledge selected by the Mets in 2003 from Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton and McCutchen taken by the Pirates in 2005 from Fort Meade High School.

"I'm glad to see that they finally came together," McCutchen's father, Lorenzo, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Chuck Finder during spring training in 2010. "Because when Andrew was coming up, they always called him 'the young Milledge,' tht kind of stuff. For them to come together, and here they are playing together, is is something."

McCutchen had clearly assumed a leadership by the time spring training began in 2010, even though he had just four months of major-league experience.

"Andrew goes about his business the absolute way you want people to," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "So, he should be a good influence on anybody."

McCutchen's father was not surprised to see his son quickly become a player his teammates looked up to.

"Andrew has always been mature for his age," Lorenzo McCutchen said. "He knows that this is his destiny. We tried to prepare for it as much as we could. He's walking in it right now.

"For one thing, I had a cousin who was a professional football player, and he didn't do all the right things. Matter of fact, he ended up on drugs and all that stuff. So we always told Andrew: 'Make sure you don't end up this way. Do right and stay humble.' ... So far, he's doing that."

Pirates manager John Russell isn't one prone to a lot of hyperbole but he had had praise for McCutchen after he went 5-for-5 with five runs scored against the Chicago Cubs on 5/14/10.

"He's so dynamic," Russell said. "Not just talent-wise. He's got a great head on his shoulders. He handles adversity well. He handles success very well. He's a very level-headed young man. That's why I talk about him being a very dynamic player in all facets, it's not just one or two things, or how he plays. It's everything about him."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland joined the growing legion of McCutchen admirers. Leyland was the Pirates' manager in 1986-96 and still lives in Pittsburgh.

"He's going to be a superstar, no question about it," Leyland said. "He's one of the more exciting young players in baseball. He can fly. He's got power. Nice to build around a center fielder like that. He's a franchise player." (Chuck Finder-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-6/13/10)