University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Catching Up With Nolan McCarthy
October 30, 2024 | Baseball
Confidence is key when there is a goal to achieve. Nolan McCarthy, a 6-0, 205-pound graduate transfer from the University of Kentucky, is an example of that.
McCarthy appeared in 125 games with 98 starts for the Wildcats, with a career batting average of .279, 22 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, and 78 RBI.
McCarthy, a native of Kalamazoo, Mich., appeared in 58 games with 56 starts for Kentucky last season as the Wildcats enjoyed a memorable year that culminated at the College World Series. He posted a .288 batting average with 12 doubles, eight home runs, and 41 RBI. McCarthy scored the go-ahead run (from second base on a wild pitch) in the Super Regional game against Oregon State that sent the Wildcats to Omaha.
In his first year at Georgia, McCarthy and his teammates have one goal in mind for the 2025 season: Omaha.
What are your earliest memories of baseball and when did you know you wanted to play in college?
"My dad introduced me to it, and then just t-ball, coach pitch, and travel ball from then on out. I was a little bit undersized in high school, and then my junior year I had a little growth spurt. I started realizing that I had the talent to do it. COVID-19 happened, and then I got to Kentucky and realized that I could hang with everyone there, and the confidence just kept building."
If you didn't play baseball in college, which sport would you want to play?
"I played hockey growing up, so I'd probably play hockey. That's a grind too."
You played for Kentucky coach Nick Mingione for four years. What are some of the things you learned from him?
"He's a role model for me. He taught me to have confidence in myself and play super aggressive. He's a good person. A lot of lessons about family. The culture there was really good. All those guys are my brothers, and he taught us a lot about bonding and having good culture."
You were a big part of the team that led Kentucky to its first College World Series appearance in school history. What was your most memorable moment during the season?
"I would say the run that kind of started in SEC play. We weren't sure of ourselves at first, and we didn't know how we would stack up. We just kept winning and won 14 games in a row. We clinched the SEC in a game against Vanderbilt and ended up tying with Tennessee for the SEC regular season championship. That was a big moment. I would say that winning the Super Regional was probably one of the best days of my life. It was so much fun getting to be with those guys and pushing the needle across to Omaha."
What professional baseball players do you try to model your game after?
"I grew up watching the Tigers. I always liked watching Miguel Cabrera and guys like that, hitting the ball to the opposite field. He was my favorite player growing up. Pete Rose is another, playing super aggressively. I like Paul Goldschmidt for his swing. We kind of have similar cues in our swings."
What do you like to do outside of baseball?
"I love hanging out with my friends, being outside, throwing the football around, whatever it might be. I love food and cooking, so I like trying new places and trying to cook new foods."
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
"I like having something light before a game, so something with a little bit of protein, maybe some chicken and rice. Every game, I also have to drink two green, Red Bulls. It's my superstition, so one before BP (batting practice) and one during the game."
What song is at the top of your pre-game playlist?
"I really like EDM beats and stuff like that before games to kind of get the blood flowing. I really like Closer by The Chainsmokers. It's been my thing since high school. I walked out to it one year kind of as a joke, and then I started hitting well. I decided to walk out to it in the postseason two years ago, and I hit well, so sometimes before a game that one will get me going."
With the great success we've seen from many teams in the SEC in recent years, why did you choose Georgia?
"It's no secret that I've played for Coach (Will) Coggin and Coach (Nick) Ammirati {Ammo}. Coach Ammo's helped me a lot with my swing and the mental side of baseball. Coach (Wes) Johnson brings a super intelligent, professional approach to the college baseball game. Seeing what they did last year with all the transfers and all the culture pieces we have here, I'm just excited to be able to get to compete with them and learn more from Coach Johnson, Coach Coggin, Coach Ammo, and Coach (Brock) Bennett."
What goals do you have for yourself and your team as you approach your first season at Georgia?
"For the team, we want to win it all. I think if you look at our team on paper, there's no one who can really beat us. So, it's all about bringing these guys together and kind of just translating that to the field. As a player, I want to hit for more power this year. I played in a big ballpark last year, and Foley is a little bit smaller, so that should help me out. I want to hit above .300, and I want to be in the double-digit home runs. I think the personal goals happen if the team goals happen. If we win a national championship, I'm sure my personal goals will be far exceeded of what I expect."
What advice would you give someone wanting to play baseball at the next level?
"You don't have to be like 6'6 and 250 pounds. You can work on your body if you're 5'9. One of our best hitters, Robbie Burnett, isn't as tall as everyone else. He's maybe 5'10 or 5'11, but you can tell he's put a lot of time into his body. You can outwork anybody and become better than someone who's more talented than you. It's all about confidence in yourself and having the hustle. If you want it bad enough, you can get it."
(Profile written by Lindsay Rogers, Georgia Sports Communications)
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
McCarthy appeared in 125 games with 98 starts for the Wildcats, with a career batting average of .279, 22 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, and 78 RBI.
McCarthy, a native of Kalamazoo, Mich., appeared in 58 games with 56 starts for Kentucky last season as the Wildcats enjoyed a memorable year that culminated at the College World Series. He posted a .288 batting average with 12 doubles, eight home runs, and 41 RBI. McCarthy scored the go-ahead run (from second base on a wild pitch) in the Super Regional game against Oregon State that sent the Wildcats to Omaha.
In his first year at Georgia, McCarthy and his teammates have one goal in mind for the 2025 season: Omaha.
What are your earliest memories of baseball and when did you know you wanted to play in college?
"My dad introduced me to it, and then just t-ball, coach pitch, and travel ball from then on out. I was a little bit undersized in high school, and then my junior year I had a little growth spurt. I started realizing that I had the talent to do it. COVID-19 happened, and then I got to Kentucky and realized that I could hang with everyone there, and the confidence just kept building."
If you didn't play baseball in college, which sport would you want to play?
"I played hockey growing up, so I'd probably play hockey. That's a grind too."
You played for Kentucky coach Nick Mingione for four years. What are some of the things you learned from him?
"He's a role model for me. He taught me to have confidence in myself and play super aggressive. He's a good person. A lot of lessons about family. The culture there was really good. All those guys are my brothers, and he taught us a lot about bonding and having good culture."
You were a big part of the team that led Kentucky to its first College World Series appearance in school history. What was your most memorable moment during the season?
"I would say the run that kind of started in SEC play. We weren't sure of ourselves at first, and we didn't know how we would stack up. We just kept winning and won 14 games in a row. We clinched the SEC in a game against Vanderbilt and ended up tying with Tennessee for the SEC regular season championship. That was a big moment. I would say that winning the Super Regional was probably one of the best days of my life. It was so much fun getting to be with those guys and pushing the needle across to Omaha."
What professional baseball players do you try to model your game after?
"I grew up watching the Tigers. I always liked watching Miguel Cabrera and guys like that, hitting the ball to the opposite field. He was my favorite player growing up. Pete Rose is another, playing super aggressively. I like Paul Goldschmidt for his swing. We kind of have similar cues in our swings."
What do you like to do outside of baseball?
"I love hanging out with my friends, being outside, throwing the football around, whatever it might be. I love food and cooking, so I like trying new places and trying to cook new foods."
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
"I like having something light before a game, so something with a little bit of protein, maybe some chicken and rice. Every game, I also have to drink two green, Red Bulls. It's my superstition, so one before BP (batting practice) and one during the game."
What song is at the top of your pre-game playlist?
"I really like EDM beats and stuff like that before games to kind of get the blood flowing. I really like Closer by The Chainsmokers. It's been my thing since high school. I walked out to it one year kind of as a joke, and then I started hitting well. I decided to walk out to it in the postseason two years ago, and I hit well, so sometimes before a game that one will get me going."
With the great success we've seen from many teams in the SEC in recent years, why did you choose Georgia?
"It's no secret that I've played for Coach (Will) Coggin and Coach (Nick) Ammirati {Ammo}. Coach Ammo's helped me a lot with my swing and the mental side of baseball. Coach (Wes) Johnson brings a super intelligent, professional approach to the college baseball game. Seeing what they did last year with all the transfers and all the culture pieces we have here, I'm just excited to be able to get to compete with them and learn more from Coach Johnson, Coach Coggin, Coach Ammo, and Coach (Brock) Bennett."
What goals do you have for yourself and your team as you approach your first season at Georgia?
"For the team, we want to win it all. I think if you look at our team on paper, there's no one who can really beat us. So, it's all about bringing these guys together and kind of just translating that to the field. As a player, I want to hit for more power this year. I played in a big ballpark last year, and Foley is a little bit smaller, so that should help me out. I want to hit above .300, and I want to be in the double-digit home runs. I think the personal goals happen if the team goals happen. If we win a national championship, I'm sure my personal goals will be far exceeded of what I expect."
What advice would you give someone wanting to play baseball at the next level?
"You don't have to be like 6'6 and 250 pounds. You can work on your body if you're 5'9. One of our best hitters, Robbie Burnett, isn't as tall as everyone else. He's maybe 5'10 or 5'11, but you can tell he's put a lot of time into his body. You can outwork anybody and become better than someone who's more talented than you. It's all about confidence in yourself and having the hustle. If you want it bad enough, you can get it."
(Profile written by Lindsay Rogers, Georgia Sports Communications)
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
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