Around the Diamond: Jake McCarthy relishing veteran role with young Rockies

After five seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jake McCarthy enters the 2026 season with a new team, a new shade of purple, and a new role.

The veteran outfielder for a young Colorado Rockies squad that is looking to build upward from a 43-119 2025 season.

“It reminds me a lot of when I got called up in 2021 and the young team I played on in 2022,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s fun to be a part of something ascending and I think we’re going in the right direction here.”

The 2021 Diamondbacks finished 52-110 but demonstrated the building blocks of what would be their run to the World Series two years later. Through the rubble of the previous season, Colorado saw Hunter Goodman emerge as a franchise cornerstone at catcher (31 HR, 91 RBI), Mickey Moniak (24 HR, .270 BA) finally emerge in his first season on his third team. McCarthy joins an outfield core that includes Brenton Doyle and Jordan Beck, both solid hitters and elite defenders.

This year’s Rockies also feature the corner infield duo of TJ Rumfield, who homered off Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez in Saturday’s 4-3 loss, and Kyle Karros, the son of Ex-big leaguer Eric Karros. There is also the potential of Ezequiel Tovar rebounding to his 2024 form, where he hit 26 home runs and earned a gold glove at shortstop. He hit a two-run home run off Perez in the fourth inning.

“I think there are a lot of young, really talented players here who are eager to prove themselves,” McCarthy said. “I think the more experience they get, the better overall club we’ll get.”

An athletic outfielder, McCarthy was no stranger to altitude prior to joining the Rockies. Aside from playing in Denver during his time as a division rival, he also spent his Triple-A years in Reno, NV, which has an elevation of 4,498 ft.

“You’ve got to just get more reps under your belt there,” McCarthy said. “I do think I have at least some experience in playing in elevations and sort of the bigger outfields with the ball carrying a little bit.”

At his best, McCarthy is a speed demon on the base paths. He averaged 24 stolen bases from 2022 to 2024. Coors Field is a ballpark that rewards speed on offense but requires it on defense.

“We want to use that park to our advantage,” McCarthy said.