David McCabe

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #7 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: McCabe played high school ball outside Toronto then shined in three years at UNC Charlotte, hitting 30 home runs combined in his final two collegiate seasons. He ranked as the No. 315 prospect in the 2022 draft class, but he stood out for his excellent hitting ability, raw power and approach at the plate. The Braves signed him for $476,400 in the fourth round and in his first full season in 2023 he looked like one of the most well-rounded hitters in Atlanta’s system. His 133 wRC+ trailed only Vaughn Grissom among Braves minor leaguers who batted at least 400 times, and he also hit 17 home runs and 23 doubles.
  
  Scouting Report: McCabe has a large, physical frame with plus raw power from the left side and a great eye at the plate. His 15.3% walk rate was the highest of any player in the system with at least 500 plate appearances, and he consistently put together competitive at-bats and chased at just a 17.7% rate--one of the lowest marks in the system. A switch-hitter, McCabe is better from the left side of the plate and 16 of his 17 home runs came from the left side, in addition to 20 of his 23 doubles. He has an open setup at the plate and takes a sizable leg kick to get started before swinging in an uphill path. There are some questions about his ability to handle fastballs thrown 93 mph or faster, but his on-base skills and power could make him a productive offensive player even as a below-average pure hitter. McCabe is a below-average defender at third base and will need to move to either first base or a corner-outfield spot. He has below-average range and actions, and despite 10 stolen bases is heavy-footed and a well below-average runner. He has above-average arm strength.
  
  The Future: McCabe was old for both levels in 2023, so he should be challenged at Double-A in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 55
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #24 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: A Canadian native who spent three seasons mashing for UNC Charlotte, McCabe signed with the Braves as a fourth-rounder in 2022 for $476,400. He dealt with plenty of injuries throughout college that limited his playing time, but when he was on the field, he always hit well and in 2022 finished the season with more extra-base hits (29) than strikeouts (28). McCabe struggled in his pro debut and slashed .245/.336/.330, mostly with Low-A Augusta.
  
  Scouting Report: McCabe is a physically imposing switch-hitter with a big frame and huge raw power to go with it. Internal evaluators have put double-plus raw power on McCabe, and amateur scouts thought his power production was much better from the left side, which is typically the case with switch-hitters. McCabe produced more offense batting lefty in his pro debut but didn't produce much impact, despite solid underlying numbers such as an 88.5 mph average exit velocity. McCabe has a solid understanding of the strike zone and will take his walks when necessary while also making contact at a solid clip. Mostly a first baseman in college, the Braves played McCabe at third base in 2022 and he has a huge arm that would be more than enough for the position. However, his size, agility and glovework might end up pushing him back to first.
  
  The Future: McCabe has big tools with his arm strength and raw power, but he faces a high offensive bar to clear and will look to hit for more game-power in a full 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 65.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #315 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Charlotte Committed/Drafted: Never Drafted
  Age At Draft: 22.3
  When McCabe is on the field, he always hits. In 2022, he hit .386/.513/.784 with more walks (40) than strikeouts (28). He’s a rare player who has more extra-base hits (29) than strikeouts. After being limited to 37 games and 34 starts in 2021, McCabe was on the field more often in 2022, playing 42 games, but he continued to battle a number of injuries (namely hamstring and hand injuries) through the season. Even though he technically just finished his sophomore season thanks to the pandemic, he’s already 22, so the 6-foot-4, 230-pound switch-hitter is seen as somewhat old for the class. McCabe has more power when he’s hitting lefty, but both swings are effective. McCabe has toyed with third base, but he’s a first baseman all the way in pro ball. His combination of patience, plus power and a plus hit tool should still be alluring to a team betting on his bat.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: A Canadian native who spent three seasons mashing for UNC Charlotte, McCabe signed with the Braves as a fourth-rounder in 2022 for $476,400. He dealt with plenty of injuries throughout college that limited his playing time, but when he was on the field, he always hit well and in 2022 finished the season with more extra-base hits (29) than strikeouts (28). McCabe struggled in his pro debut and slashed .245/.336/.330, mostly with Low-A Augusta.
  
  Scouting Report: McCabe is a physically imposing switch-hitter with a big frame and huge raw power to go with it. Internal evaluators have put double-plus raw power on McCabe, and amateur scouts thought his power production was much better from the left side, which is typically the case with switch-hitters. McCabe produced more offense batting lefty in his pro debut but didn't produce much impact, despite solid underlying numbers such as an 88.5 mph average exit velocity. McCabe has a solid understanding of the strike zone and will take his walks when necessary while also making contact at a solid clip. Mostly a first baseman in college, the Braves played McCabe at third base in 2022 and he has a huge arm that would be more than enough for the position. However, his size, agility and glovework might end up pushing him back to first.
  
  The Future: McCabe has big tools with his arm strength and raw power, but he faces a high offensive bar to clear and will look to hit for more game-power in a full 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 65.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: A Canadian native who spent three seasons mashing for UNC Charlotte, McCabe signed with the Braves as a fourth-rounder in 2022 for $476,400. He dealt with plenty of injuries throughout college that limited his playing time, but when he was on the field, he always hit well and in 2022 finished the season with more extra-base hits (29) than strikeouts (28). McCabe struggled in his pro debut and slashed .245/.336/.330, mostly with Low-A Augusta.
  
  Scouting Report: McCabe is a physically imposing switch-hitter with a big frame and huge raw power to go with it. Internal evaluators have put double-plus raw power on McCabe, and amateur scouts thought his power production was much better from the left side, which is typically the case with switch-hitters. McCabe produced more offense batting lefty in his pro debut but didn't produce much impact, despite solid underlying numbers such as an 88.5 mph average exit velocity. McCabe has a solid understanding of the strike zone and will take his walks when necessary while also making contact at a solid clip. Mostly a first baseman in college, the Braves played McCabe at third base in 2022 and he has a huge arm that would be more than enough for the position. However, his size, agility and glovework might end up pushing him back to first.
  
  The Future: McCabe has big tools with his arm strength and raw power, but he faces a high offensive bar to clear and will look to hit for more game-power in a full 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 65.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  August Update: When McCabe is on the field, he always hits. In 2022, he hit .386/.513/.784 with more walks (40) than strikeouts (28). He&#39s a rare player who has more extra-base hits (29) than strikeouts. After being limited to 37 games and 34 starts in 2021, McCabe was on the field more often in 2022, playing 42 games, but he continued to battle a number of injuries (namely hamstring and hand injuries) through the season. Even though he technically just finished his sophomore season thanks to the pandemic, he&#39s already 22, so the 6-foot-4, 230-pound switch-hitter is seen as somewhat old for the class. McCabe has more power when he&#39s hitting lefty, but both swings are effective. McCabe has toyed with third base, but he&#39s a first baseman all the way in pro ball. His combination of patience, plus power and a plus hit tool was alluring enough for the Braves to bet on his bat in the fourth round, signing for $476,400.