Jake McCarthy is thriving with the Colorado Rockies after being traded from the Diamondbacks. He has a .288 batting average and is enjoying a more regular role in the lineup.
Key points
Jake McCarthy is now with the Colorado Rockies
He has a .288 batting average this season
McCarthy has seven doubles and 16 RBIs
He appreciates his time with the Diamondbacks
McCarthy is enjoying a more regular role in the lineup
Colorado RockiesArizona DiamondbacksJake McCarthy
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies aren't winning much, something that is seemingly an annual occurrence here, but Jake McCarthy is enjoying being a part of the team.
The former Diamondbacks outfielder has a more regular role in the Colorado lineup, something he didn't always have in Arizona. He entered the Diamondbacks-Rockies game on Friday, May 15, with a .288 batting average, with seven doubles and 16 runs batted in.
McCarthy batted sixth in the Rockies' lineup Friday. Being traded to Colorado in the offseason didn't faze McCarthy much.
"I've been pretty good at tuning that stuff out," McCarthy said. "When I got the call, I said, 'All right, now I'm a Rockie, and here I am.' Appreciative of my time in Arizona, but I just think it's part of the game. Nothing really lasts forever, so I'm just happy where I am."
McCarthy was drafted by the Diamondbacks and played parts of four seasons in the majors, with one full season, 2024. He spent the other part of those seasons mainly with Triple-A Reno, trying to stick in the big leagues.
That doesn't seem to be an issue now in Colorado.
McCarthy stays in contact with several current Diamondbacks and said it might be a little more strange next week when the Rockies are at Chase Field, with him having to go to the visiting clubhouse.
McCarthy noted that he and former Diamondbacks teammates Alek Thomas and Blaze Alexander are now with different organizations. Thomas was traded to the Dodgers and Alexander was traded to the Orioles in the offseason.
"You play this game long enough, something like that is bound to happen," McCarthy said. "Anytime you get to put on a uniform in the big leagues, it's a blessing, and I do here."
Q&A
How is Jake McCarthy performing with the Colorado Rockies?
Jake McCarthy has a .288 batting average, with seven doubles and 16 runs batted in since joining the Rockies.
Why was Jake McCarthy traded to the Rockies?
Jake McCarthy was traded to the Rockies to provide him with a more regular role in the lineup, which he didn't always have with the Diamondbacks.
What is Jake McCarthy's batting average this season?
Jake McCarthy is currently batting .288 this season.
What did Jake McCarthy say about his trade to the Rockies?
Jake McCarthy expressed that he is appreciative of his time in Arizona and is happy to embrace his new role with the Rockies.
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McCarty still keeps tabs on some of his former teammates, and at spring training this year, he enjoyed driving past the Diamondbacks side of the Salt River Fields facility and blasting his car horn.
"That got old after a couple of weeks," McCarthy said.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said it's always nice to see a player who has moved on from the team do well elsewhere. He also said the Diamondbacks had to game plan for McCarthy.
"Intense, engaged, athletic, and has an eagerness to be right in the middle of all the madness that's going on on a given day," Lovullo said of McCarthy.
Altitude adjustment
Ketel Marte started at second base Friday, hitting leadoff for the Diamondbacks. But in the next two games of the series, he could move to DH and/or get a day off.
The high altitude of Denver has at times affected Marte physically, causing Lovullo to adjust how he uses one of his star players.
Marte isn't the only one Lovullo and his staff are monitoring in Colorado. Friday's starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly, and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were also being watched for any signs of cramping or injury aggravation.
"The wear and tear is a little greater in this altitude," Lovullo said. "It's a real thing, and it's been proven and we've just got to be very mindful of it."
Injury updates
Lovullo said first baseman/DH Pavin Smith has started a throwing program and felt good taking some swings of the bat. Smith is out with left elbow inflammation.
Utility player Jordan Lawlar was set to have a CT scan on his fractured right wrist, to see how much it has healed, on Friday. Both Smith and Lawlar are on the 60-day injured list.
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
Diamondbacks at Rockies, 5:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (2-3, 7.62) vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-4, 6.00)
At Coors Field: Kelly threw well against the Mets in his most recent start, allowing just one run over seven innings. It stopped a string of three rough outings in a row. … Kelly’s fastball has been getting hit extremely hard, with a .388 expected average and a .912 expected slugging. … Kelly has a 3.25 ERA in 17 career starts against the Rockies. He has a 4.12 ERA in nine starts at Coors Field. … Freeland has been roughed up his past two outings, giving up a combined 13 runs (12 earned) in 9 1/3 innings. … He owns a 5.94 ERA in 22 career starts against the Diamondbacks. … Freeland has been eliciting a decent amount of whiffs on his secondary offerings, namely his curveball, sweeper and change-up. His fastball has been hit hard.
Coming up
Saturday, May 16: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-0, 2.25) vs. Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (3-3, 4.07).
Sunday, May 17: At Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (5-2, 3.53) vs. Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-5, 6.55).
Monday, May 18: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-4, 5.65) vs. Giants LHP Robbie Ray (3-5, 3.04).
What to know about the Colorado Rockies
As expected, things have not gone well for the Rockies to open the year. Their pitching staff is among the worst in baseball and their offense ranks near the bottom third in the majors in runs scored. There have been a few bright spots. OF Mickey Moniak is off to a scorching hot start. He entered Thursday, May 14, with a .315/.358/.693 line and 12 homers. Former Diamondbacks OF Jake McCarthy has also performed well. He is hitting .288/.356/.500 in 80 at-bats. The Rockies have also gotten good results out of RHP Chase Dollander, who has logged a 3.35 ERA in 43 innings with 17 walks and 47 strikeouts.