Brandon McCarthy

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #3 prospect in 2005
  Scouts John Kazanas and Joe Butler did an excellent job when they locked onto McCarthy after he had gone 12-0 and struck out 14 per nine innings in junior college in 2002. He led the Rookie-level Arizona and Pioneer leagues in strikeouts in his first two pro seasons, then topped the entire minors with 202 whiffs in 2004. McCarthy's best pitch is a two-seam fastball that generally parks around 90 mph, and he has a four-seamer that hits 92-93. He also has a plus curveball. His height allows him to deliver pitches on a steep downward plane, and he throws strikes at will with an easily repeatable delivery. McCarthy has sailed to Double-A without a hitch. He can get better with his changeup, and he has started to make progress and use it more often. Chicago couldn't find a fifth starter in 2004, and McCarthy could jump into consideration with a strong spring. He'll probably return to Double-A but won't stay long if he picks up where he left off.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #11 prospect in 2004
  McCarthy has gone 25-8 over the last two seasons, including a 12-0 run at Lamar (Colo.) CC that drew the attention of Sox scouts Joe Butler and John Kazanas. He led national juco pitchers by averaging 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings in 2002, and he has topped the Rookie-level Arizona and Pioneer leagues in innings and whiffs in his two pro seasons. McCarthy is a blue-collar version of former White Sox star Jack McDowell. He stands tall, challenges hitters and wins games. He doesn't blow the ball past hitters, getting his fastball up to just 91 mph, but he has a hard curveball with diving action plus an improving changeup. The best thing he does is throw strikes. McCarthy doesn't get a lot of movement on his fastball and is relatively hittable. He needs to work on commanding the inner half of the plate because hitters sometimes get too comfortable against him. McCarthy should gain velocity as he continues to fill out his frame. He'll probably advance a step to low Class A but is polished enough to be considered for a jump to high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #8 prospect in 2005
  The talk of White Sox spring training, McCarthy nearly won a job in the rotation before Mark Buehrle returned from a broken foot sooner than expected. It turned out McCarthy had more work to do in Triple-A, a level he never had pitched at before 2005, and he got knocked around in his first two big league stints. But after returning to Chicago at the end of August, he was the White Sox' best pitcher down the stretch. At 6-foot-7, McCarthy pitches on a steep, downward plane with an easily repeatable delivery. He has racked up strikeouts at every level in the minors thanks to three plus pitches: a sinking two-seam fastball that sits at 90 mph, a low-90s four-seamer and a curveball that rated as the best in the IL. He lost command of his four-seamer in his early big league trials, and the White Sox have tried to get him to use his changeup more often.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #8 prospect in 2004
  The only pitcher to strike out more batters in the minors than Petit this season was McCarthy, who fanned 202 in 172 innings and actually pitched better after leaving Kannapolis. At 6-foot-7 and 180 pounds, McCarthy has some filling out to do physically and should gain velocity on his solid 90-93 mph fastball. It's already an effective pitch because he stays tall in his delivery, throws it downhill and puts it where he wants it. "He was one of the elite guys for me because he could command the fastball, his curveball and his changeup," Joyce said. "His change was his third pitch, but it was effective because he knew how to use it. He knew how to use all his stuff, which was impressive."
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  Ranked Carolina League #6 prospect in 2004
  Described as a blue-collar version of former White Sox righthander Jack McDowell, McCarthy doesn't back down from anyone. Physically, he also resembles McDowell, with a 6-foot-7, 200-pound frame. His stature allows him to throw on a downward plane, and he repeats his delivery well. "He's got exceptional command for a tall guy," Lovekamp said. "He creates such good angles and works down in the zone. Coming from as high as it does, the ball tends to get on you quickly and looks really small as it sinks down at you."
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  Ranked Pioneer League #16 prospect in 2003
  Managers agreed that McCarthy was the most aggressive pitcher in the league. He led the league in strikeouts and innings and finished one win behind Moreno in wins. With his lean 6-foot-6 frame, McCarthy attracted comparisons to former White Sox hurler Jack McDowell. Though he does not throw as hard as McDowell, topping out at 91 mph with his fastball, McCarthy commands three pitches well. He also drew compliments because he doesn't give in to hitters. "His changeup came a long way this year and that's what really made him a better pitcher," Cron said. "He's got a nice curveball and his fastball will improve as he adds strength. And he's as good a battler as you'll see. He's got a huge heart on the mound."
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #17 prospect in 2002
  Taken in the 17th round, one round behind Haigwood, the 6-foot-7 McCarthy got stronger as the summer wore on. He allowed just seven earned runs in his final seven starts and topped the AZL in innings and strikeouts. McCarthy hasn't grown into his frame or his fastball yet, but he does spot his heater well. His slider, which has good downward action, is his strikeout pitch.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #49 prospect in 2005

• December, 2004 Scouting Report
  Scouts John Kazanas and Joe Butler did an excellent job when they locked onto McCarthy after he had gone 12-0 and struck out 14 per nine innings in junior college in 2002. He led the Rookie-level Arizona and Pioneer leagues in strikeouts in his first two pro seasons, then topped the entire minors with 202 whiffs in 2004. McCarthy's best pitch is a two-seam fastball that generally parks around 90 mph, and he has a four-seamer that hits 92-93. He also has a plus curveball. His height allows him to deliver pitches on a steep downward plane, and he throws strikes at will with an easily repeatable delivery. McCarthy has sailed to Double-A without a hitch. He can get better with his changeup, and he has started to make progress and use it more often. Chicago couldn't find a fifth starter in 2004, and McCarthy could jump into consideration with a strong spring. He'll probably return to Double-A but won't stay long if he picks up where he left off.