Breaking: Phillies close in to land Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed hitter in the club record signing deal.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the organization is “keeping an eye on” Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed hitter Jake McCarthy.
McCarthy, 25, is playing well for Arizona this season following a poor 2023 campaign. He has 19 RBIs and a slash line of.268/.354/.370 with two home runs. Although McCarthy is capable of playing center field, he has primarily played in the corners where Corbin Carroll is firmly established. After hurting his oblique before the NL Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he was unable to watch the D-Backs advance to the World Series.
Surprisingly, in his few plate appearances this season, left-handed hitter McCarthy has dominated left-handed pitchers. In 2024, he is 12-for-29 against southpaws with a.917 OPS.
The native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is also capable of affecting the bases. Over the previous three seasons, he had 58 stolen bases in the major leagues.
Remarkably, left-handed hitter McCarthy has outperformed left-handed pitchers in his limited plate appearances this season. He is 12-for-29 with a.917 OPS in 2024 against southpaws.
The Pennsylvania native from Scranton has the ability to influence the bases as well. He had 58 stolen bases in the major leagues throughout the previous three seasons.
McCarthy had his finest hitting streak in the majors from July 13 until the end of the regular season in 2022, when he batted.303 with a.793 OPS.
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When trade season rolls around, it’s uncertain if Arizona would be open to dealing him. The D-Backs have outfield depth and might utilize him in a trade to improve other areas of the club, but they are in a win-now mode after upsetting the Phillies in seven games in the NLCS last season.
Whether or if McCarthy’s bat has more power is the key question. There has to be some hope that the Phillies hitting staff under Kevin Long can assist promote some progress if the team is already sending scouts to Arizona to see him.
