BleacherCoaches.com

It says a lot about Andrew McCutchen that he is the Pirates best option at batting leadoff or in a power position 3 or 4. He is off to a torrid pace in 2012, batting .400 through 12 games. He has made some real clutch hits and been every bit the superstar he is supposed to be. The only concern thus far is that of his 18 hits, only 2 have been extra base hits. That is pretty nit picky because he has produced in just about every other way. He has 3 Stolen Bases, and has locked down Center Field like a shutdown CornerBack. There is still 150 games left, and he obviously will have some slumps along the way, But I think Andrew McCutchen is absolutely ready for his best year yet. The Bucs are doing just want they need to do through this rough April, just survive. Hey they are 4-2 against 2011 postseason teams. McCutchen is a legitimate superstar, he is the face of the team. If the Pirates are in town, he should be the guy the opposing fans come out to see. I'm not sure his national presence yet, but it is increasing. I just wonder what is next for this guy? He has no ceiling and he is entering his prime 4-5 years right now, He can be scary good.

Cutch lives very close to me and I have seen him out and about probably 7-8 times over the past year at local places like supermarkets and restaurants. He has never big timed me and always stops to chat for a minute. Cutch is a regular guy and does his own shopping, pumps his own gas, etc. He is first class all the way and deserves everything he gets. I am glad to see that he will be here for a long time.

Other than Matt Kemp, I don't think there is a centerfielder in baseball I'd take over Cutch.

Seriously,

Can you say there is a player more valuable to their team than McCutchen? Ruiz is having MVP caliber season for the Phils but if you take him off that team they still have Pence, Rollins, and Victorino. Take McCutchen off the Pirates and they would have the worst record in the big leagues. Will he get the vote, hell no. He should be considered, though.

National Media has noticed the season he is having. If the Pirates have a somewhat respectable season, He will get a few lower 3rd place votes here and there.

Here is why McCutchen is my NL MVP. Take him off the Pirates, they go from 1.5 GB of first, to dreadful. Take Votto off the Reds, and they may not be in first, but they're still over .500.