Best MLB players not in the Hall of Fame: Pittsburgh Pirates, Andrew McCutchen
WAR value: 40.4
Younger generations of MLB fans may have no idea the Pittsburgh Pirates have a long and storied history. For modern-day fans, Andrew McCutchen may be the most memorable player in team history.
McCutchen, of course, is still playing with the Philadelphia Phillies. But his heyday came in Pittsburgh during his time there from 2009-2017. He was the MVP in 2013 and one of the main reasons the team was actually able to make it back to the postseason. Unfortunately, they never made much noise in October.
The outfielder is yet another player who is not likely headed to Cooperstown upon retirement. Yet he did enough during his time in Pittsburgh to warrant recognition there for the rest of his life. McCutchen made five straight All-Star Games and won four straight Silver Sluggers. Throwing in the MVP trophy cemented his legacy in a city starved for success from the Pirates.
McCutchen was also, and still is, one of the more likable players in the game. He is just fun and his personality always made him an easy player to root for. His career .379 on-base percentage while in Pittsburgh also illustrates why he was easy to root for.
McCutchen is already a legend in Pittsburgh for what he did in nine years with the team. And if the franchise ever committed to spending, he may have stayed to continue what they had built during the time he was an MVP.