MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – Less than two years ago, Kevin McCarthy first donned a Kansas City Royals' uniform at Target Field as a September call-up.
 
As the Royals faced the Minnesota Twins in a series this week, McCarthy has pitched himself into an enhanced role in the Royals' bullpen.
 
Through July 11, McCarthy's 34 appearances rank second on the Royals. He has a 4-3 record, a 3.32 ERA, and more importantly, the trust of his manager to get crucial outs in close games.
 

"He comes in, throws strikes, is consistent, and has been successful in those high-leverage situations," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said prior to the Royals' game at Minnesota on July 10. "Anytime you do that, you get more and more and more of them."

 
Often called on to pitch in the late innings of close games, McCarthy feels the rush of adrenaline that starts when the bullpen phone rings and continues when he takes the mound. As his career has progressed, he has realized the importance of letting his mind, rather than his emotions, dictate his actions.
 
"Sometimes you're over-hyped, and you miss spots," McCarthy said. "The one that I've been working on is being able to come in, slow it down and stay within myself, instead of thinking that adrenaline is going to get you through an inning. That's not really the case. Guys can turn on 99 (miles per hour); you have to slow things down, know what their weaknesses are, and try to exploit them."
 
Understanding hitters, studying scouting reports, and going through a game plan with bullpen coach Vance Wilson are all part of McCarthy's daily routine. Those characteristics have helped lay the foundation for his success, and his attention to detail has not been lost on his teammates.
 
Left-hander Brian Flynn joined the Royals' bullpen early in the 2016 season, and has become the longest-tenured member of the club's relief corps following the trade of two-time All-Star Kelvin Herrera to the Washington Nationals on June 18. Now frequent catch partners, Flynn praised McCarthy's willingness to embrace the details and ability to learn from those around him.
 
"It's 100 percent his preparation," Flynn said. "His catch partner was Kelvin Herrera, and I don't think that was by accident. He picked his brain a lot. … He's stuck to his routine and going about his business and his preparation. That's the biggest part up here. He's definitely one of the top guys on our squad about doing that."
 
The nuances of pitching were instilled in him during his Marist career. He pitched for the Red Foxes under the watchful eye of head coach Chris Tracz, who won 38 games, set numerous pitching records, and reached three NCAA Tournaments in his own playing career at Marist.
 
"Taking care of the little things," McCarthy said of playing for Tracz. "His attention to pitching sequences, controlling the running game, defensive ability, and all those things he really hounded us on helped us out a lot. He's a great teacher in that aspect."
 
During his playing career at Marist, McCarthy did not envision himself as a future Major Leaguer. The road to "The Show" was not a smooth one, either.
 
McCarthy was chosen by the Royals in the 16^th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. Significant injuries to his knee (ACL) in 2013 and pitching elbow (UCL) in 2014 ended his first two professional seasons. Rehabilitation was long and arduous, and often occurred at the team's complex in Arizona with little time to see family and friends. He braved the searing heat of the desert summer, and bonded with those also going through the process.
 
"It was a fantastic group of guys," McCarthy said. "Most of the guys I've rehabbed with have had successful careers. I owe a lot to them."
 
By the time Spring Training rolled around in 2015, a healthy and determined McCarthy emerged. He jumped two levels that season, and ended the season in Double-A. The next year was more of the same – a two-level jump which culminated in his contract being selected by the Royals in Sept. 6, 2016.
 
"It didn't feel as fast as it actually was," McCarthy said.
 
At A Glance
The Basics

• Uniform number: 61
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 210
• Birthday: Feb. 22, 1992

 
2018 Highlights

• Eight straight outings from April 21 through May 4 without allowing an earned run.
• An efficient three-inning scoreless outing, throwing just 25 pitches, in an extra-inning victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 1 – during a road trip in which the Royals' fathers joined them. "To be able to enjoy that night with him was amazing," McCarthy said.
• A 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts in a victory over the New York Yankees on May 18. "A lot of my buddies back home will say it's that," said McCarthy, a native of nearby Rockville Centre.
• A string of seven scoreless outings from June 16 through July 3.
• A 63.1 percent ground ball rate, which is second best among American League relievers and sixth best in the Major Leagues, through July 9.

 
In The Majors

• Contract Selected: Sept. 6, 2016.
• First appearance: Sept. 9, 2016, at Chicago White Sox. Became the first former Marist baseball player to play in a Major League game.
• First batter faced: Tim Anderson.
• First strikeout: Sept. 10, 2016 (Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox).
• First win: Sept. 10, 2016, at Chicago White Sox.
• Career totals: 77 appearances, 91.1 innings pitched, 6-3 record, 3.55 ERA.

 
At Marist

• Pitched for the Red Foxes from 2011-13.
• Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Co-Relief Pitcher of the Year, 2013.
• Two-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection, 2012 & '13.
• 16^th round selection by the Kansas City Royals in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.