The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded outfielder Jake McCarthy to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Josh Grosz, per both teams’ social media. This was a one-for-one swap.
McCarthy is a former first-round pick by Arizona in 2018. The outfielder never brought much in the way of power. However, he made up for it with his speed and defense.
The Rockies acquired Grosz in the Ryan McMahon trade with the New York Yankees at last year’s trade deadline. Grosz was an 11th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He was ranked as the No. 20 prospect in Colorado’s system, per MLB Pipeline.
Grosz is projected to be a multi-inning reliever or even a back-end starter.
Between the Yankees and Rockies High-A affiliates in 2025, Grosz pitched to a 4.67 ERA in 23 games (125.1 innings), with 135 strikeouts. Walks were somewhat of an issue during this season, with 55.
McCarthy’s Time With The Arizona Diamondbacks
The left-handed outfielder spent five seasons with Arizona. In 2022, he finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. During that season, he batted .283 with a .769 OPS and 23 stolen bases.
The next season, he couldn’t replicate his previous success, batting .243 with a .644 OPS, while stealing 26 bases in 99 games. He was left off the playoff roster in 2023, while the Diamondbacks went to the World Series.
In 2024, he bounced back with a .285 average and a .749 OPS, stealing 25 bases. However, in 2025, he took another step back. In 67 games, he batted for a career low .204/.247/.345 slashline, being sent up and down a couple of times, while stealing just six bases.
While he improved from a .268 OPS in March and April, he still wasn’t able to fully regain his ability from that point forward.
McCarthy’s strengths and weaknesses are clear at this point in his career. He can play all three outfield positions well and is one of the fastest players in baseball with a 99th percentile sprint speed last season, per Baseball Savant.
McCarthy makes good contact, but rarely of the hard-hitting variety, leading to very little power.
It was because of this season that Arizona could deem McCarthy expendable. McCarthy is out of minor league options, which expedited this process.
But who will step up in McCarthy’s absence?
Who Will Arizona Put in the Outfield in McCarthy’s Absence?
With Lourdes Gurriel Jr. set to miss most of or all of the 2026 season recovering from a torn ACL, the Diamondbacks still rolled with the opportunity to move McCarthy. With Corbin Carroll locked into right field, Alek Thomas will now get the majority of center field work.
Other candidates to fill outfield positions are Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa and even potentially Jordan Lawlar.
Thomas, entering his age-26 season, will likely take over McCarthy’s spot in the outfield. Owning a career .234/.277/.362 slashline, Thomas is not the best hitter, but is known for his speed and defense, while having a clutch bat.
While left field is now up in the air for this Arizona team due to Gurriel’s injury, this Arizona team needed future pitching without getting rid of one of its top players.
Despite Grosz being somewhat of a lottery ticket, the Diamondbacks had to get what they could for the inconsistent outfielder.
Diamondbacks Acquire Potential Back-End Starter For Long-Time Outfielder