Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

After playing his high school ball in Ontario, McCabe stepped right into the UNC Charlotte lineup, only to see his first year of college ball halted by the pandemic in 2020. He then proceeded to hit 14 homers in 2021 and 16 more in 2022, leaving the 49ers with the second-highest slugging percentage (.679) in school history when the Braves took him in the fourth round of the ’22 Draft. After a fairly nondescript summer pro debut, he hit 17 homers across two levels of A ball before finishing with a stint in the Arizona Fall League. He wasn’t able to build off that as an elbow injury required Tommy John surgery in February.

The 6-foot-4 McCabe is a switch-hitter with an advanced approach at the plate that he’s carried over to his pro career. After walking more than he struck out at Charlotte, McCabe walked 81 times in 2023, then posted a .448 on-base percentage in the AFL. He’s better from the left side of the plate, but he’s shown he can drive the ball either way. Even with an open stance and leg kick, he tends to be on time and manages strikeouts well.

While McCabe played mostly first base in college, the Braves thought his arm strength might look good at third, and he played the hot corner exclusively in his first full season, then split time between the corners in Arizona. It’s looking like first base is his best shot at a regular spot, and he’ll have to keep using his approach to get to more power to profile well there.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

McCabe didn’t make any kind of impression during his pandemic-shortened freshman year at UNC Charlotte, but the Canadian corner infielder made noise in each of the next two seasons, even if he did miss some time with injuries. He hit 30 homers in 2021 and 2022 combined and left the 49ers with a career .341/.451/.679 line, good enough to land in the fourth round of the ’22 Draft with the Braves. He got his professional feet wet mostly with Single-A Augusta.

A switch-hitter, the 6-foot-4 McCabe has a tremendous amount of raw power to tap into. It didn’t show up during his brief pro debut, but he did hit the ball hard without results to show for it at times. He’s better from the left side of the plate and showed an ability to work counts at Charlotte, walking more than he struck out in his college career.

McCabe played both infield corners in college, focusing mostly at first base, but the Braves think he and his plus arm could work at third, where he played exclusively during his debut in the organization. He’ll likely get some reps at first, but it’s the power potential at the plate that will determine his ultimate value.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

After taking three high school pitchers to kick off the 2022 Draft, the Braves dipped into the four-year college pool with their next three selections. McCabe was the third of those three, a big Canadian infielder from UNC Charlotte who put up big numbers in 2022, but also had missed considerable time in his college career between the pandemic and injuries. After signing for right around slot as a fourth-rounder, McCabe spent most of his pro debut with Single-A Augusta.

The 6-foot-4 McCabe is a switch-hitter with as much raw power as just about anyone in the Braves organization currently. He’s a better hitter as a lefty, but is capable from both sides of the plate. He’s shown the ability to be patient, drawing more walks than strikeouts with UNC Charlotte this past spring. 

While McCabe had played mostly first base in college, he had seen some time at third and the Braves sent him out at the hot corner during his debut to see if what it looked like, and he has the plus arm for the position. He likely will end up back at first, but given the missed time in college and the fact he came from a cold-weather climate, the Braves think he could be a late bloomer.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

CAR Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/28/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	3B David McCabe assigned to Peoria Javelinas.
	07/30/2024	3B David McCabe assigned to Mississippi Braves from Rome Emperors.
	03/26/2024	Rome Emperors placed 3B David McCabe on the 60-day injured list.
	09/22/2023	Salt River Rafters activated 3B David McCabe.
	05/30/2023	3B David McCabe assigned to Rome Braves from Augusta GreenJackets.
	05/30/2023	Rome Braves activated 3B David McCabe.
	08/09/2022	3B David McCabe and assigned to Augusta GreenJackets from FCL Braves.
	08/04/2022	3B David McCabe assigned to FCL Braves.
	07/30/2022	Atlanta Braves signed 3B David McCabe.
	03/09/2022	3B David McCabe and assigned to Charlotte 49ers.
	07/02/2021	College Workout activated 3B David McCabe.
	07/02/2021	3B David McCabe assigned to College Workout.
	09/07/2018	3B David McCabe assigned to Ontario-Black.
	09/12/2017	3B David McCabe assigned to Ontario-Green.