Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen, Clint Hurdle Named Finalists For NL Awards
By Rich Donahue
Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen has been named one of three finalists for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
This is the third consecutive year McCutchen has been in the final three. In 2012, McCutchen finished third to the San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey and he won the award over Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks last season.
McCutchen hit .314 this past season with 25 home runs and 83 RBI. He also lead the National League in on-base percentage, on-base plus slugging (OPS) and offensive Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton join McCutchen as the two other finalists.
Also, Clint Hurdle has been named a finalist for the National League Manager of the Year for the second consecutive season. Hurdle won the award last season after guiding the Pirates to their first winning season and a playoff appearance in 20 seasons. This past season Hurdle led the Pirates a 88-74 record and another postseason berth. Giants manager Bruce Bochy and Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams were also named finalists.
The NL Manager of the Year winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 11 on the MLB Network at 6 p.m. The NL MVP winner will be announced two days later on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. on the MLB Network.