Baines joined Everton from Wigan for £5million yesterday.
Hutchings said: “Leighton can step up. I know Wayne Bridge is injured and he will now be in contention with Nicky Shorey and Ashley Cole. Now he has to get himself fit and become a regular.
“I know he thought he could move up to that level. I just wish it had been with us.
“He deserves a lot of credit. We took him here when Everton let him go at 14 and he has come up through all of the junior and youth teams.
“It’s a great testament to their ability, but Leighton had to do it for himself. He got an opportunity and took it.”
