Jake McCarthy

Players who hit the ball without much authority are subject to more variance than those generating elevated exit velocity. In 2023, McCarthy was sent to the minors twice, both after a horrid BABIP (.160 in April and .208 in August). Last year, he avoided a similar fate by maintaining monthly levels between .272 and .417. McCarthy also posted a career-best 15.8 percent strikeout rate, the third straight season with a decline. He stole 25 bases in 142 contests, but considering he swiped 49 in 198 games over the prior two seasons, 2024's total was disappointing. McCarthy's defense is palatable, but it's not going to keep him in the lineup. Despite the bounce-back season, he's the same player, sporting one of the lowest average exit velocities and hard-hit rates in the league, but he doesn't fan much and sports 98th percentile sprint speed. Cheap steals are his asset, but not as a primary source. Read Past Outlooks