Joe McCarthy

A multi-sport athlete in high school, McCarthy was an all-ACC pick as a sophomore for a loaded Cavaliers team and entered this spring as one of the more polished hitters in the class. He has a very compact lefthanded stroke and tremendous contact ability, with no clear holes in his swing. McCarthy also has a strong understanding of the strike zone, with the plate discipline and vision to lay off pitches that he can't drive. McCarthy's junior spring was disrupted by pre-season back surgery, which sidelined him for about three months. In his brief stint on the field, McCarthy has lacked the strength to drive the ball with authority, and his issues with pulling the ball with backspin persist. Whoever takes McCarthy will be buying into his track record and performance prior to this spring. The Pennsylvania native has plus speed, particularly underway, and a below-average arm who profiles in center field offensively but fits better defensively in left. McCarthy has bat speed and power in his hands, but his swing is geared more for contact than it is for power, as he keeps his hands close to his body and doesn't really incorporate his hips. That modest power would make left field a tough fit. The final weeks of the season will be crucial for McCarthy, who could help his stock bounce back a little bit if he looks stronger in the postseason.