Andrew McCutchen may be 31, but he still thinks his wheels deserve respect.
In an NBC Sports Bay Area video feature that ran on Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants outfielder called out popular video game “MLB The Show” over his low speed rating in last year’s edition.
“It better be high,” said McCutchen in anticipation of his speed rating in the latest 2018 edition. “Better be higher than it was last year. Had my speed all the way down, messed up. I’m gonna get my speed up. My speed better be up.
“I’m not slow. I’m serious,” the former NL MVP added. “I think they had me at like 70 or something last time. That’s low, that’s like a C-minus. So higher than it was last year, it had me slow. If you don’t think I’m that fast, go on the field, we can do a 50-yard sprint. I promise I will blow you out.”
Indeed, McCutchen had a fairly low speed rating of 70 in the 2017 version, which has now risen slightly to a 74 in this year’s version.
The five-time All-Star has been known throughout his career for some speed on the basepaths, averaging 19 stolen bases a year and peaking at 33 in 2010. He only stole six bags in 2016 however, then 11 in 2017, which may account for the corresponding fluctuation in his speed rating. At least “MLB The Show” didn’t do McCutchen as dirty as they did Jose Ramirez though.
