Joe McCarthy Stats & Scouting Report

AB	10
AVG	0
OBP	0
SLG	0
HR	0

Full name Joseph Edward McCarthy
Born 02/23/1994 in Scranton, PA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Virginia
Debut 07/23/2020
Drafted in the 5th round (148th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015 (signed for $356,400).

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A multi-sport athlete in high school, McCarthy was an all-ACC pick as a sophomore for a loaded Cavaliers team and entered this spring as one of the more polished hitters in the class. He has a very compact lefthanded stroke and tremendous contact ability, with no clear holes in his swing. McCarthy also has a strong understanding of the strike zone, with the plate discipline and vision to lay off pitches that he can't drive. McCarthy's junior spring was disrupted by pre-season back surgery, which sidelined him for about three months. In his brief stint on the field, McCarthy has lacked the strength to drive the ball with authority, and his issues with pulling the ball with backspin persist. Whoever takes McCarthy will be buying into his track record and performance prior to this spring. The Pennsylvania native has plus speed, particularly underway, and a below-average arm who profiles in center field offensively but fits better defensively in left. McCarthy has bat speed and power in his hands, but his swing is geared more for contact than it is for power, as he keeps his hands close to his body and doesn't really incorporate his hips. That modest power would make left field a tough fit. The final weeks of the season will be crucial for McCarthy, who could help his stock bounce back a little bit if he looks stronger in the postseason.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: McCarthy was an extremely productive hitter at Virginia, but he fell in the 2015 draft because of a back injury that ruined his junior season. As a pro, he's shown the same on-base ability and feel for hitting, but he's also continued to battle back problems. He missed nearly three months with a back injury and then saw his Arizona Fall League season end early because of a broken hand.

Scouting Report: McCarthy is an average hitter, but he posts excellent on-base percentages because of his ability to control the strike zone and draw walks. McCarthy's bat speed is only average, but he works counts well. There's more concern about his power potential. McCarthy has never hit 10 home runs in a pro season, but the hope is with big league baseball he can find 12-15 home runs if he gets 500 big league at-bats. His back injuries have cost him some speed--he's now a below-average runner--and have limited his defense. He takes excellent routes, but he's range-limited by his footspeed. He's also played first base.

The Future: The Rays added McCarthy to their 40-man roster in November. His long history of back injuries is a significant concern, but he's been a productive hitter capable of posting .350-plus on-base percentages with sporadic power. He's ready for a callup whenever the Rays need a useful corner bat.
McCarthy went undrafted out of his Pennsylvania high school but emerged as an offensive force during his first two years for a Virginia team that finished as the runner-up in the 2014 College World Series. A back injury that required surgery limited his effectiveness as a junior. McCarthy led the Southern League in walks and triples, and was among the top four in on-base percentage, doubles and runs. McCarthy is an intelligent player with plus makeup and a tremendous eye at the plate who works the count, allowing him to get on base consistently. He has a compact swing with solid-average raw power to the pull side, but his game is centered more on hitting line drives while using the entire field. McCarthy has above-average speed and plays the outfield corners well, but his fringy arm strength is suited best for left. He also has seen time at first base. McCarthy has the offensive game to be a starting outfielder in the big leagues but could settle into a utility role as well. He is scheduled to open 2018 at Triple-A Durham.
Undrafted out of high school, McCarthy made an immediate impact when he arrived at college, batting .336 as a freshman at Virginia. He developed a reputation as a sound college hitter, but missed most of his junior spring with a back injury and wasn't quite himself when he returned down the stretch and helped the Cavaliers win their first national championship in 2015. The Rays took a chance on McCarthy, and in his first full professional season, the Pennsylvania native proved himself worthy. McCarthy's best tools are on offense. He has a compact lefthanded swing and controls the bat well. Despite his muscular, long-limbed frame, McCarthy has never quite profiled as a traditional slugger, though he began to fulfill some of his power projection in 2016 with a .145 isolated slugging percentage across low- and high Class A. McCarthy shows sound strike zone awareness and puts himself in favorable counts often. He has solid-average speed and runs the bases well. McCarthy doesn't quite profile as a center fielder but has the tools to be an effective corner outfielder if he can stay healthy. He also added first base to his repertoire, giving him value as a versatile lefthanded bat moving forward.

Draft Prospects

A multi-sport athlete in high school, McCarthy was an all-ACC pick as a sophomore for a loaded Cavaliers team and entered this spring as one of the more polished hitters in the class. He has a very compact lefthanded stroke and tremendous contact ability, with no clear holes in his swing. McCarthy also has a strong understanding of the strike zone, with the plate discipline and vision to lay off pitches that he can't drive. McCarthy's junior spring was disrupted by pre-season back surgery, which sidelined him for about three months. In his brief stint on the field, McCarthy has lacked the strength to drive the ball with authority, and his issues with pulling the ball with backspin persist. Whoever takes McCarthy will be buying into his track record and performance prior to this spring. The Pennsylvania native has plus speed, particularly underway, and a below-average arm who profiles in center field offensively but fits better defensively in left. McCarthy has bat speed and power in his hands, but his swing is geared more for contact than it is for power, as he keeps his hands close to his body and doesn't really incorporate his hips. That modest power would make left field a tough fit. The final weeks of the season will be crucial for McCarthy, who could help his stock bounce back a little bit if he looks stronger in the postseason.