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We kick off our Iowa Baseball Campus Newcomer series with an in-state recruit that will focus solely on pitching for the Hawkeyes but had an impressive high school career as a two-way player. MOC-Floyd Valley left-handed pitcher Brooks McCarty has been a four-year starter, in the outfield and on the mound, for a Dutchmen program that has won over 100 games during his career. He is rated as the top left-handed pitcher in Iowa and the #93 LHP in the country by Perfect Game.
A four-time All-Siouxland selection and a 3A All-State pick as a junior, McCarty, who is still playing with MOC-Floyd Valley in the 3A State Tournament, has been an impact contributor from the day he joined the varsity roster. Over the course of four seasons, Brooks has pitched in 36 games, with 33 starts, posting a 1.64 ERA, while he has tallied 274 strikeouts, averaging 14.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
As a junior, McCarty was a 3A First Team All-State selection after finishing the season with a 0.65 ERA over 41.2 innings, including 74 strikeouts to 27 walks and just ten hits allowed. This season, as a senior, Brooks has already picked up First Team All-Siouxland and First Team All-Northwest District honors. He has a 2.34 ERA over 43.2 innings, including 74 strikeouts to 30 walks and 23 hits allowed. McCarty will likely take the mound for the Dutchmen against Cedar Rapids Xavier in Tuesday’s 3A Quarterfinal.
We caught up with the 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed pitcher from Orange City to preview his upcoming freshman year with the Hawkeyes.
Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?
MCCARTY: I move in on the 15th of August. I’m very excited to get on campus and get to work.
Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?
MCCARTY: My favorite number is 5 but I’m pretty sure that is already taken so whatever number I get I’ll be okay with.
Q: You are a four-time First Team All-Conference selection. What does it mean to you to have that type of impact, not only as a pitcher, but as an outfielder too for the MOC-Floyd Valley program?
MCCARTY: I think it was just being consistent. Having my team knowing what they’re going to get from me each time we step out in the field.
Q: What pitches do you have in your arsenal (speeds)? What do you consider your best pitch and why?
MCCARTY: For my pitch arsenal, I have a fastball, knuckle-curve, and a circle changeup. My fastball has recently been 88-90, touching 91 multiple times throughout my start. Curveball usually around mid to upper 70s. Changeup is low to mid 80s. A lot of people say my changeup is my best pitch, and the coaches at Iowa have said that as well.
Q: From your first game as a freshman to your senior year, where do you feel like you grew the most as a pitcher? What have you learned about yourself as a pitcher?
MCCARTY: I feel like I grew a lot in my command and being able to locate any pitch for a strike in any count. At times I would even prefer to throw an off-speed pitch over a fastball in any count. As a pitcher I realized I pitch better when the situation becomes tougher. I thrive for the ball in my hand in those situations.
Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?
MCCARTY: Iowa really felt like a family when I visited. Iowa really does things differently than other schools, so it was the right choice for me.
Q: Were there any other schools that you heavily considered during your recruitment?
MCCARTY: At the time, I was planning to take a visit to SDSU. I was also talking to other Big Ten schools and other mid-majors in the south.
Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?
MCCARTY: My relationship with all of the coaches is great. They all are super helpful with anything and are great people to chat with. I would say I talk to Marty (Sutherland) the most.
Q: Since you’ve committed and signed, there have been some changes at pitching coach. Why do you still feel like Iowa is the best place for you?
MCCARTY: No matter who the pitching coach is, I feel like Iowa is the best fit for me because of the other coaches that also support me. It’s overall a great environment to be in.
Q: With the high school season going so late into the summer, how do you plan to recover and prepare for your arrival in Iowa City?
MCCARTY: Hopefully we’ve got three more games left, but after that, I will pitch in the Iowa Senior All-Star game. Once that is over, I will take a small break in between, before my arrival (in Iowa City).
Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?” How would you describe your game?
MCCARTY: I would say I’m very confident on the mound. I always want the ball in my hand. I love to work batter backwards and I feel comfortable throwing off-speed in any count. Sometimes I feel more confident with it (than other pitches).
Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?
MCCARTY: I have played with or against every guy from Iowa that is going to Iowa. My relationship with all of them is great and I will only get to know them better once we get to campus.
Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?
MCCARTY: I want to contribute to the team in a positive way, whether that’s on the field or off the field I want to be able to make an impact. I want to improve my velo, I want to continue to gain weight and gain strength.
