Checking in with Blue Jays prospect Ryan McCarty

Soaking up advice from Amir Garrett

Spring training can be a whirlwind, with the number of players and coaches coming and going on a daily basis. You could have everyone from single-A guys to MLB veterans in the same facility, which can make for a frantic environment.

Prospects like McCarty are always looking to soak up knowledge like a sponge from their elders, and the prospect has already received some valuable advice from MLB veteran Amir Garrett. The LHP signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays and is hoping to lock down a spot in the big league bullpen.

With conversations McCarty has had with Garrett, the youngster has gleaned crucial insight into how MLB pitchers attack hitters. You might think that hitters stick with hitters and pitchers stick with pitchers in spring training, but some of the most valuable intel McCarty has received is from pitchers in the Blue Jays organization.

“Two years ago, a pitcher asked me: ‘This is my pitch arsenal. How are you going to hit me?’ And I gave him my answer,” McCarty said. “We face each other in spring training a lot. What a resource to use; the pitcher who is trying to get me out. It seems like it’s right in front of you, but I’ve gone years without thinking to ask somebody like that.

“When [Amir] Garrett was talking about some of the better hitters like Freddie Freeman or Mookie Betts, they’re so focused on what they’re going to get,” McCarty said. “Striking out looking is almost a better look now than striking out swinging because they had their plan going to the plate. And if they didn’t get what they wanted to see, they may not even bother taking a swing at it because they want to do damage for their team.”

That runs counter to the “grip it and rip it” approach many teams have taken in recent years, but through conversations with Garrett, McCarty realized that even though the results may not always translate, the best hitters on the field always have a plan and stick to it.

“I’ve always been told to be a courageous hitter. That made it click to me what it actually looked like, hearing a big leaguer’s approach at the plate,” McCarty said. “It blew my mind because I never would’ve thought they actually did that.”

Leaping to the Fisher Cats

McCarty spent part of two seasons at high-A, but last year was his first taste of double-A ball and the transition was no joke. Because of the double-A schedule, teams play six-game series at a time in the regular season, which makes for an interesting cat-and-mouse battle between pitchers and hitters.

McCarty was locked in at the end of June. He hit home runs in three consecutive games and destroyed Hartford Yard Goats pitching in that six-game series, going 8 for 24 with seven runs, three home runs and five RBIs.

When players are promoted to double-A, there’s an understanding this is their first significant leap towards the Major Leagues. Nobody is here by accident and players can’t skate by on talent alone anymore.

“The biggest learning curve is now the game within the game,” McCarty said. “Even in high-A, pitchers are still using the pitches they like best or what they prefer to throw. But these double-A guys are very sharp, talented and well-rounded pitchers that have experience.

“They no longer stick to their typical scouting report on what they want to throw. They’ll look at what we’re struggling with overall over the last year and what we’ve been struggling with over the last week.”

The next super utility player in the organization?

MLB is a copycat league and Ben Zobrist was arguably the prototype who ushered in the new era of the super utility player in the early-to-mid 2010s. The Blue Jays have had varying degrees of success with developing players like that — Cavan Biggio being the latest — but McCarty could be on his way to being the next Swiss Army knife player in the Blue Jays organization.

Last year, McCarty played both corner outfield spots, along with first, second and third base. He’s hoping to get some work in at shortstop this season to round out his defensive resume, but he relishes the chance to play multiple positions on the diamond.

“I mentally prepare myself by not only accepting but embracing my role,” McCarty said. “Everyone needs off-days and I love filling the role and being as good as I can at it. You have to find the thrill in being able to bounce around.

“I almost take it as how much they trust me as an athlete. It’s one thing to play one position very well, but I have to understand every position now just as well. It always comes back to helping the team as much as possible.”

“My goal is to keep climbing the ladder”

After playing consecutive seasons in a championship series (in Dunedin in 2022 and Vancouver in 2023), like the big league club, McCarty wasn’t able to taste the postseason in 2024. Every year, he goes into the season aiming to win a championship, no matter which level in the organization he’s at.

Growing up in Philadelphia as a diehard baseball fan, he comes from a city that has a rabid fanbase with high expectations for their sports team. Toronto hasn’t reached the point of greasing the poles like Philly has famously done, but McCarty knows Canada is just as ravenous for its next World Series trophy.

“My personal goal is to keep climbing this ladder,” McCarty said. “It is a whole learning experience, not only as an athlete, but as a person. I want to keep striving to become a better athlete. But those are my major focuses for the year and every practice each day accumulates to that.”