Jake McCarthy is a left-handed outfielder from Scranton, Pennsylvania who has steadily carved out his place in the big leagues since debuting on August 27, 2021. With a .293 batting average and 18 stolen bases in 2026, McCarthy brings a combination of contact hitting and baserunning speed that makes him a genuine asset in center field.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Jake McCarthy
- Position: Outfielder
- Team: Colorado Rockies
- Number: 31
- Bats / Throws: Left / Left
- Height / Weight: 6’0″ / 214 lb
- Born: July 30, 1997 (age 29), Scranton, PA
- MLB Debut: August 27, 2021
Background
McCarthy was born on July 30, 1997, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He reached the majors on August 27, 2021, arriving with a solid set of tools — left-handed bat, left-handed arm — and a minor-league track record that suggested he could handle big-league competition on both sides of the ball.
Professional Career
McCarthy has split his MLB time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. His best season in Arizona came in 2024, when he hit .285 with 8 home runs, 56 RBI, and a career-high 25 stolen bases. His .749 OPS that year showed a player who could contribute both with pop and on-base ability.
The 2025 season was a different story. McCarthy struggled through a .204 average with just 4 home runs and 20 RBI in Arizona — a rough stretch that pushed him to look for a fresh start.
He found it in Colorado. In 2026 with the Rockies, McCarthy rebounded in a meaningful way: .293 AVG, 11 home runs, 64 RBI, 52 runs scored, and an .821 OPS — more than doubling his homer total from the year before and posting the best OPS of his career.
Career Stats Snapshot
- 2026 – Colorado Rockies: .293 AVG | 11 HR | 64 RBI | 52 R | .821 OPS | 18 SB
- 2025 – Arizona Diamondbacks: .204 AVG | 4 HR | 20 RBI | 18 R | .592 OPS | 6 SB
- 2024 – Arizona Diamondbacks: .285 AVG | 8 HR | 56 RBI | 66 R | .749 OPS | 25 SB
Awards & Recognition
McCarthy hasn’t collected major individual awards like an MVP or Silver Slugger yet. His career has been built on consistency and growth, with 2024 and 2026 standing out as proof that he can be a reliable everyday contributor on a competitive roster.
The Bounce-Back Story
Going from a .204 average in 2025 to .293 with an .821 OPS in 2026 isn’t just a good stat line — it’s a real testament to McCarthy’s ability to reset and compete. He more than doubled his home run output and nearly tripled his OPS in a single season. That kind of resilience is exactly what teams look for in a veteran outfielder.
