River Cats record holder signs MiLB deal with Rangers
Former Sacramento River Cats outfielder Joe McCarthy signed a MiLB contract with the American League West Texas Rangers on Feb. 7. The 2015 College World Series Champion with the University of Virginia was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was
Former Sacramento River Cats outfielder Joe McCarthy signed a MiLB contract with the American League West Texas Rangers on Feb. 7.
The 2015 College World Series Champion with the University of Virginia was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was a two-time MiLB.com Organization All-Star (2016 and 2017) with the Rays.
McCarthy, 27, was acquired by San Francisco in 2019 in exchange for left-hander Jacob Lopez. He went 9-for-31 (.290) with eight runs, seven RBIs, and a home run during the River Cats’ Triple-A Championship-winning 2019 postseason.
He was the Giants’ Opening Day right fielder in 2020 in the COVID-shortened season.
In 2021, McCarthy was a force in the River Cats’ lineup, winning Player of the Week June 6. The lefty scored 48 runs, knocked in 55, and had 18 doubles while setting career-highs with a .305 batting average, .926 OPS, and 15 home runs.
His 18-game hitting streak from May 24-June 17 tied the Giants’ era of the River Cats all-time record. He totaled seven doubles, six home runs, 18 RBIs, and raised his batting average from .239 to .322 over that span.