McCutchen working to become bigger threat on base paths

Manager Clint Hurdle has made it known that he wants the Pirates to be a threat on the bases this season.

Andrew McCutchen, who stole 33 bases in 2010, has been working with infield/base running coach Luis Silverio who is trying to get McCutchen more relaxed and in a better athletic position to steal bases.

“He is doing a couple of negative moves,” Silverio said, explaining what he saw in McCutchen’s attempts to steal. “To me, he doesn’t have a very good balance. He does not have a very good athletic position to start with. That creates an extra move — a few inches.”

McCutchen has 55 stolen bases in just two seasons with the Pirates. Although, he hasn’t publicly said how many bases he is aiming for, I’d expect that number to continue to climb.

“I know a lot of times when I get thrown out, it’s bang-bang,” McCutchen said. “If I can eliminate some small movements and have a better start, maybe that bang-bang turns into being in my favor.”

“This is a special guy,” Silverio said. “He’s got special speed. We just have to put the speed to work more frequently and more consistently. He definitely has the potential to be an excellent basestealer.”