Jake McCarthy is a 29-year-old left-handed outfielder who has carved out a real role in the big leagues since debuting in 2021. After a forgettable 2025, he came back swinging in 2026 — a .305 average, 13 home runs, and 20 stolen bases for the Colorado Rockies. That combination says everything about the kind of player he is: a modern, two-way offensive threat who can beat you with the bat and his legs.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Jake McCarthy
- Position: Outfielder
- Team: Colorado Rockies
- Number: 31
- Bats / Throws: Left / Left
- Height / Weight: 6’0″ / 214 lbs
- Born: July 30, 1997 — Scranton, Pennsylvania 🇺🇸
- MLB Debut: August 27, 2021
Background
McCarthy grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the baseball-rich northeast. He worked his way through the minors and reached the majors on August 27, 2021. As a left-handed hitter and thrower, he brings real defensive value in left field, where he has settled as a regular starter.
Professional Career
McCarthy spent his early MLB years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he developed into a legitimate offensive contributor. In 2024, he posted a .285 average with 8 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and a .749 OPS — a well-rounded line that showed he could impact the game in multiple ways.
Then came 2025, and it was rough. His average dropped to .204, he managed just 4 home runs, and his OPS cratered to .592. It looked like the league had figured him out.
But McCarthy didn’t stay down. After joining the Colorado Rockies, he had one of the better bounce-back seasons you’ll see: .305 average, 13 home runs, 67 RBI, 56 runs scored, an .857 OPS, and 20 stolen bases. The change of scenery clearly did him good, and his 2026 numbers prove his 2024 form was no fluke.
Season-by-Season Stats
- 2026 – Colorado Rockies: .305 AVG | 13 HR | 67 RBI | 56 R | .857 OPS | 20 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 and Recognition
McCarthy hasn’t picked up a major individual award yet — no MVP, no Silver Slugger. But his 2026 resurgence puts him squarely on the radar. Players who can hit .305 and steal 20 bases tend to get noticed when award conversations come around.
What Makes Him Interesting
The real story with McCarthy is resilience. He went from a .592 OPS in 2025 to an .857 OPS in 2026 — that’s not a small adjustment, that’s a full reinvention. His 2026 line (.305 AVG, 20 SB) is exactly what modern baseball teams are looking for: a guy who hits for average, has some pop, and can run. He doesn’t just survive a bad year; he uses it as fuel.
