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2023 Player Outlook

2023 Recap: Going into the 2023 season, McCarthy's batting average from the year prior was unsustainable. While he hit .283 in 2022, he posted a .249 xBA and rode a .349 BABIP to get there. In 2023, despite striking out less and making massive gains to his contact rates, his batting average came crashing down to .243 last year. His batted ball profile, mainly in terms of his quality of contact (23.3 percent hard hit rate and 2.3 percent barrel rate) are underwhelming, though I believe his 2024 marks will be closer to that of 2022 than 2023. 

2024 Outlook: His speed is real, and he'll rack up stolen bases in bunches, but the problem for McCarthy in 2024 is going to be getting regular at-bats. He shouldn't see many at-bats against left-handed pitchers, and with the team signing Joc Pederson to a one-year deal, Pederson figures to DH against righties, pushing Lourdes Gurriel to an outfield spot. McCarthy will likely be a pinch-running specialist to open the year, but he's only an injury away from being a regular player in a potent Arizona lineup, which would lend itself to plenty of runs scored and stolen bases.