Pittsburgh Pirates: A look at the 2015 team’s offensive ZiPS projections

Once again, Cutch is clutch

Another year, another outstanding display of consistence from Andrew McCutchen.

At least, that’s what the ZiPS projections believe is in store for the face of the franchise in the upcoming season. Yet again, the dreadlocked center fielder is set to lead the team in several offensive categories, including home runs, runs batted in, batting average and BB%.

He probably will not flirt with the MVP-caliber number’s he’s put up in year’s past, but it’s abundantly clear that there are few players in Major League Baseball as important to their respective teams as McCutchen is to the Pirates. Set for a 24-home run, 88 RBI season, the outfielder will once again be the biggest offensive threat in Clint Hurdle’s lineup.

With one Gold Glove, an MVP and four All-Star selections in tow, Andrew McCutchen will once again be the leader in the clubhouse and both on and off the field – and, again, the Pirates will rely heavily upon him in 2015.