Player Profiles: Aubrey McCarty

He’s back. After rainouts, postponements and before that, a trip to the College World Series to see his Vanderbilt University teammates win the title, (and a brief visit to Nashville,) the Georgia native is back.

Pitcher/First baseman Aubrey McCarty is eager to resume his summer with the Swamp Bats. But where will he play?  In June, he played at 1^st base, Designated Hitter and pitched.   While he was away, Dominic Severino and Darick Hall and Conner Simonetti played first base and now, the pitching mound has become more crowded with Alex Robinson from Maryland and Jack Roberts and Alec Bettinger from Virginia. All three were at the College World Series.

“I’m not really worried about playing time; I’m here to do the best I can when given a chance,” Aubrey says.  His versatility will give him more chances to contribute. On June 11, against the North Adams SteepleCats , McCarty started at 1^st base and had two hits. Then he got the win in relief as he pitched three innings, allowing two hits and striking out two batters.

One of the first things you’ll hear about Aubrey McCarty is his skill as a switch hitter. And he can throw from either side of the mound. He is ambidextrous. In fact, the idea of pitching in alternating pitches thrown right and left handed in a game, indeed to a particular hitter, has been a favorite topic of those who chronicle Aubrey’s career. There are YouTube videos from two and three years ago. His unique talent has been mentioned on his Vanderbilt profile, PerfectGame USA, the Moultrie Observer, the Keene Sentinel and, various Blogs (now including this one).
He’s even got a glove designed to wear on both hands.

Aubrey understands the curiosity. It’s fair to say he enjoys the attention.  He also knows his immediate priority is to his team, be it the Vanderbilt Commodores or the Swamp Bats.  “Here you can just relax and go play. It’s laid back here; we know when it is time for business and when to have fun.”  

After the summer, McCarty will return to Nashville and Vanderbilt. He hasn’t declared a major. “Hopefully, something in business, financial-type stuff.”