Andrew McCutchen, who grew up about an hour east of Bradenton, Fla., knows about Willie Stargell and Barry Bonds.

	Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette Andrew McCutcheon, with his mother, Petrina, sister, Loren, and director of media relations Jim Trdinich, talks to the media after signing his first professional contract yesterday as the Pirates' No. 1 draft pick. Click photo for larger image.

"But I'd really like to learn a lot more about the Pirates and their history," McCutchen said yesterday.

The Pirates, in turn, would really like for McCutchen to be part of their future -- so he can make some of that history himself.

McCutchen, the Pirates' top pick in the draft last week and the 11th player taken overall, will start that process Sunday when he reports to Bradenton after having signed yesterday for a $1.9 million bonus.

"It's a great opportunity," said McCutchen, who projects as a leadoff-hitting center fielder. "I'm very excited. I just can't wait to get out there on the field and showcase my talent."

McCutchen sure didn't wait long to sign, either.

His agent, Steve Hammond from Orlando, and the Pirates got the deal done without fuss. McCutchen passed a physical yesterday morning, signed his contract early yesterday afternoon and then met with the media.

"He's an exciting athlete who we think will play center field above average defensively and who has an exciting bat," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.

McCutchen, a right-handed hitter from Fort Meade, Fla., a town of about 5,000 people, this spring hit .709 with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 16 home runs and 42 RBIs in 22 games.

Like Rob Sidwell, the scout who did much of the work on McCutchen, scouting director Ed Creech believes McCutchen, 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds, will get bigger.

"I honestly believe he's going to have a little more power than what people are making it out to be," Creech said. "This guy's got strong hands and strong wrists and strong forearms. I think maybe his power might be underplayed a little bit.

"We'll wait and see, but I know the guy's going to hit. I think definitely he's going get bigger and stronger and the power will come with. I saw Marquis Grissom and Rondell White and Michael Barrett get bigger and stronger."

Might McCutchen develop so much power that he'll fit better lower in the lineup?

"If he can be a Marquis Grissom and lead off the game with a home run, more power to him," Creech said.

McCutchen, an avid writer of poetry, composed a poem last week after he was drafted -- it's called "Just The Beginning" -- and read it Saturday during a celebration with about 60 family members and friends in Fort Meade.

"It was good. It really touched people," Hammond said. "Not only is he an outstanding player, but he's a better person. He comes from a great family. He has a really level head. It's exciting to see a kid with this kind of talent who appreciates it but also understands that he has to work for it."

McCutchen figures he'll be a bit nervous when drills begin Monday in Bradenton, but not because he believes he has a lot to prove as a No. 1 pick.

"I'll feel like I'm just like every other athlete going out on the field playing," he said. "I'll be just like a 50th-rounder."

McCutchen, however, had to feel like a first-rounder yesterday when he signed his contract and noticed the dollar figure.

"I can't believe it -- I'm signing," he thought at the time he put pen to paper. "It's a dream come true. As a little kid, I always dreamed of being a professional baseball player. I used to watch [Atlanta Braves games] on TV, and I'd be like, 'I'll be out there one day.' You're joking around, but as I got older it got a little more serious."

Now? It's way serious.

McCutchen yesterday wore a Pirates jersey with No. 05 on it. Will he ask for that number when/if he makes it to the major leagues?

"I don't know," he said with a laugh. "But the number doesn't make me. I can make the number."

And the history to go along with it.