The Arizona Diamondbacks have had success with the Competitive Balance rounds in the past, where they were able to select Chris Owings in 2009.
With this year’s pick at #39, they selected Jake McCarthy from the University of Virginia, who is comparable to another member of the 2009 Diamondbacks draft class.
“To me, he’s like a left-handed A.J. Pollock,” MLB Network insider Peter Gammons said.
“He can run, he’s very strong though. He’s a line drive hitter but has tremendous strength in the hips and balance. He was a great high school football player in Pennsylvania. I think he’s going to go to the big leagues quickly and he’s a great hitter on Team USA and probably the best all-around player in the (Cape Cod League) last year. He’s one of those athletes where it should not take that long to get up to Arizona. He’s a very mature person and someone you wish was living next door to you.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound McCarthy broke his wrist in March with the Cavaliers, but still hit .329 and stole nine games in 20 games. As a junior in 2017, he was second on the team with 80 hits and stole 27 bases on 29 attempts. He also played on the 2017 collegiate national team.
“He might be one of the best defensive outfielders in this class,” MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger said.
McCarthy was college teammates of the Diamondbacks’ 2017 first round pick Pavin Smith. He also joins California prep shortstop Matt McLain in the Diamondbacks draft class, who was selected 25th overall.
