Jake McCarthy on his game: ‘I don’t want there to be a weakness’

SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jake McCarthy sees the difference between being comfortable and building off experience.

McCarthy put together arguably his most complete season as a major leaguer in 2024, playing a career-high 142 games while batting .285 with eight home runs, 25 stolen bases and a Gold Glove finalist honor.

But, as he put it, those hits or catches don’t help him now.

“I think when you think too much about the previous year, that takes you out of what you got going on here,” McCarthy said on Monday. “Obviously, you learn about yourself, having more experience. … I just still think, attacking this year is a completely different animal.”

McCarthy’s spot on the roster was uncertain going into last season after an oblique strain kept him out of the previous postseason. Various injuries placed him into an expanded role early on, and he stepped up. McCarthy was on fire over the summer, hitting .420 over a 22-game stretch at one point. He grabbed the everyday center field job after Alek Thomas returned from a lengthy hamstring injury and struggled to find a rhythm.

This spring, the focus offensively is stacking days in which he puts together quality at-bats, regardless of numbers, as he builds up toward Opening Day.

He delivered a strong offensive performance on Monday with a screaming single and a ground-rule double in Arizona’s 10-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Salt River Fields.

#Dbacks go up 7-2 on the #Cubs thanks to Jake McCarthy’s rbi double. Over 9k fans at Salt River on Monday. pic.twitter.com/EbaroT7SVd

— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) March 3, 2025

“For me, it’s finding that happy medium,” McCarthy said. “I know maybe what I do is kind of unorthodox. I don’t light up the exit velo, but I always want to have good at-bats, swing at the right pitches.

“I think if I could also tap into more exit velo, I’m not necessarily trying to hit deep fly balls or anything like that, my approach is still the same, but I think it’s generally a good sign if the balls are being hit hard on the line.”

That could come into play by being more selective early in counts and taking a “full pass” at pitches he can drive into a gap. Putting the ball in play was not a problem for him last year, as he set career highs with a 15.8% strikeout rate and 17.6% whiff rate.

On defense, McCarthy said he does not want there to be any weaknesses to his game, singling out improving his arm and plays back by the wall.

“Just acknowledging things I can do better and trying to attack them every single day,” McCarthy said. “We have such a good pitching staff, and I just don’t want to be a reason why they’re giving up a run.”

Working with first base/outfield coach Dave McKay on jumps has made a significant difference, McCarthy explained. Being present and on top of fundamentals even during his final inning of a Cactus League game is another part of being accountable in one’s preparation for the season.

Corbin Burnes stacking strong outings in camp

New Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes made his third Cactus League appearance on Monday, working up to 47 pitches through 2.1 innings.

He allowed one run while striking out two (Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker twice). Burnes focused on his breaking pitches leading into this appearance, and that was what he felt most strongly about executing.

“Cutter command, sinker command wasn’t where we wanted to be. Our focus today was the offspeed stuff and the breaking balls. Worked on a lot this week, so good to get some good returns on that,” Burnes said. “Funny enough that the cutter and sinker were really good the first two (starts) and today they weren’t really good. Got some work to do, but overall, was pleased with how we threw the offspeed stuff.”

Cubs hitters whiffed on a third of their swings against Burnes.

Burnes neared 97 mph on both his cutter and sinker, saying he’s throwing harder this early in spring than he had the previous couple years.

“Could be the few mechanical things we’ve kind of been working on have been cleaning up and velocity has taken off a little bit,” Burnes said. “It’s definitely early in camp for it to be that high. But not gonna complain. Everything feels good and mechanically we feel pretty clean.”

Diamondbacks camp notes

– Randal Grichuk hit a frozen rope off right-hander Caleb Kilian that left the yard in a hurry. After missing a game due to back tightness, Grichuk returned to the lineup and hit a fastball 452 feet with an exit velocity of 114.3 mph.

Randal Grichuk – Arizona Diamondbacks (1)* pic.twitter.com/sA2Qzoj4Mn

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 3, 2025

– Manager Torey Lovullo met movie star Kevin Costner on Saturday, and on Monday Lovullo explained, “The way it was shaped to me is that he wanted to meet me, and I’m like, ‘Does he know I’m Torey Lovullo and not Tony La Russa? He’s got that other Italian guy.'” Lovullo said he thanked Costner for his authenticity in baseball movies.

– Burnes recently hired a taco truck to deliver food to his teammates at the facility: “It’s just a way to mix things up and get to know the guys a little bit.”

– The D-backs are off on Tuesday, and Brandon Pfaadt will start Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants at Salt River Fields.

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