SPOTLIGHT
Omaha (Papillion, Neb.) reliever Kevin McCarthy easily could have panicked after his first three outings in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in June, when his ERA stood at 15.00. He had thrown three innings and allowed four hits, three of them home runs.
Since then, though, the 16thround selection out of Marist College has a 3.21 ERA in nine outings (14 innings). He fanned 16 through 17 innings overall, though
walks (10) have been an issue.
“Every level that I have gone up, I felt like I needed an adjustment period,” said McCarthy, who had three wins, 11 saves and a 3.12 ERA in 22 games for Northwest Arkansas (Springdale, Ark.) of the Class AA Texas League before his promotion. “The long ball hurt me a little (early), and I learned that they hammer mistakes (here). So if you mess up, they are going to clobber it.
“I didn’t like the feeling I had (after surrendering two homers to New Orleans). From there on, I tried to throw every pitch with a
purpose. Our home field isn’t very forgiving, so, especially at home, you have to have a game plan and you have to know what you are doing.”
McCarthy throws a slider, change, fastball (that often hits 97) and a sinker that can be devastating. If he’s to limit the number of homers allowed, that sinker has to sink consistently.
“I enjoy throwing it, especially when I am behind in the count,” McCarthy said. “When guys are geared up for a fastball and they get the sinker and I get a ground out, that’s something I enjoy.”