Jake

McCarthy

It’s a phenomenal landing spot for the speedy McCarthy, who stands to benefit exponentially from Coors Field’s high-octane offensive environment — particularly from a BABIP standpoint — as he steps into a corner outfield role for Colorado next season. The 28-year-old former first-round pick was out of minor-league options this spring and likely to be lost in the shuffle with Arizona by an overflow of left-field depth, which includes some combination of Jordan Lawlar, Blaze Alexander, Tim Tawa and Jorge Barrosa, along with top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. He scuffled in the majors last season, but he’s only one year removed from a 25-steal campaign where he slashed .285/.349/.400 with eight homers in 142 games. He’s at least an interesting late-round flyer as a low-risk rebound candidate for fantasy purposes heading into drafts this spring.

Despite a brutal season at the dish in 2025, McCarthy earns a decent raise in his first season of arbitration eligibility. The Diamondbacks still have a logjam of outfielders on their roster heading into 2026 though and there has been plenty of speculation that either McCarthy or Alek Thomas could be moved elsewhere. Unless he winds up in a full-time gig someplace, it’s unlikely that the speedy 28-year-old will gain relevance from a fantasy perspective.

Both players are arbitration-eligible, so this would be a move to free up salary cap space; however, Piecoro also notes that the Diamondbacks believe they have plenty of options to move into that vacated outfield role, including Jorge Barossa, Tim Tawa, Blaze Alexander, and even Jordan Lawlar, who has been playing center field this winter. Nothing is imminent, but this remains a story to watch because of what it could mean for Lawlar or Tawa’s playing time.

McCarthy gave the D-backs an early 3-0 cushion with a three-run three-bagger off Logan Webb. Arizona would be outscored 11-2 for the remainder of the game. Baseball is hard. McCarthy is proof that the sport is difficult as he’s slashing .196/.246/.325 in his limited action with the Diamondbacks in 2025.

The 28-year-old outfielder drove in a run with a fielder’s choice in the second inning to get the Diamondbacks on the board. He also drove in a run with an RBI single in the fourth inning that increased the Diamondbacks’ advantage to 4-1. For the season, he’s now hitting .200/.251/.323 with three homers, 15 RBI and six stolen bases over 168 plate appearances.

The D-backs didn’t have a diagnosis for Gurriel’s injury after the game. He was hurt in the sixth inning against the Rangers as he tried to avoid a collision with Blaze Alexander in left-center. Alexander and Jake McCarthy are due for additional playing time while he’s out.

Gurriel was hurt while trying to avoid center fielder Blaze Alexander, who was in the process of making an excellent diving catch in left center. One imagines he’ll be out for quite some time, which will create more time for Alexander and Jake McCarthy in the outfield.

The Diamondbacks are not locked into the “seller” role, but unless something changes in the next few weeks, it would be smart of them to consider offers for players who are not likely to be part of their future. Grichuk seems to be the most likely to be dealt since he’s playing on a one-year contract with a mutual option for next season. Gurriel has $13 million guaranteed for 2026, which could make it harder for the Diamondbacks to find a trade partner for him, and they may be less inclined to trade Thomas, who used to be one of the top prospects in baseball and is under team control for a few more years.

There’s little incentive for the Diamondbacks to take any chances with next week’s extended All-Star break on the horizon. It’ll be Jake McCarthy taking over in center field and Randal Grichuk entering the lineup at DH on Tuesday night against the Padres.

McCarthy took Hayden Birdsong deep for a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Diamondbacks the lead. He now has a hit in six straight games since he was recalled from Triple-A. The 27-year-old outfielder has started every game at right field over the last week in Corbin Carroll’s absence.