The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies kicked off a three-game series at Coors Field on Friday night, and while the Rockies' season hasn't been one for the highlight reels, there's a familiar face making the most of his new home in Denver.
Jake McCarthy, the former Diamondbacks outfielder traded to Colorado in the offseason, is thriving in a more regular role with the Rockies. Entering Friday's matchup, McCarthy was hitting .288 with seven doubles and 16 RBIs—a steady performance that shows he's found his groove. Batting sixth in the lineup, McCarthy seems unfazed by the change of scenery.
"I've been pretty good at tuning that stuff out," McCarthy said. "When I got the call, I said, 'All right, now I'm a Rockie, and here I am.' Appreciative of my time in Arizona, but I just think it's part of the game. Nothing really lasts forever, so I'm just happy where I am."
Drafted by the Diamondbacks, McCarthy played parts of four seasons in the majors—with one full season in 2024—and spent much of his time shuttling between Triple-A Reno and the big leagues. That struggle to stick is no longer an issue in Colorado, where he's found a consistent spot in the lineup.
McCarthy still keeps in touch with several current Diamondbacks and admits it might feel a little strange when the Rockies visit Chase Field next week, forcing him to walk into the visiting clubhouse. He's also aware that former teammates Alek Thomas and Blaze Alexander have moved on—Thomas to the Dodgers and Alexander to the Orioles—a reminder of how quickly things can change in baseball.
"You play this game long enough, something like that is bound to happen," McCarthy said. "Anytime you get to put on a uniform in the big leagues, it's a blessing, and I do here."
Even in spring training, McCarthy kept tabs on his old squad. He admits he enjoyed driving past the Diamondbacks' side of the Salt River Fields facility and blasting his car horn—a playful jab that, as he jokes, "got old after a couple of weeks."
For now, McCarthy is settling in with the Rockies, proving that a change of scenery can be just what a player needs to find his stride.