Diamondbacks Star Outfielder Returns to Rookie of the Year Form
Coming onto the scene as a highly touted prospect, former first-round draft pick Corbin Carroll quickly began a remarkable journey to becoming the Arizona Diamondbacks’ cornerstone. After being selected 16th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, Carroll rapidly emerged as one of the league’s most promising young talents, thanks to his blend of speed, power, and advanced plate discipline. After making his debut in the second half of the 2022 season, Carroll made an immediate impact, earning a starting role to begin the 2023 campaign. In his first full season, the Seattle native played a pivotal role in the Diamondbacks’ surprising run to the World Series, where they ultimately fell to the Texas Rangers. Carroll posted a .285 batting average with 25 home runs and 76 RBIs, earning National League Rookie of the Year honors. His dynamic presence at the top of the lineup marked the beginning of a new era in Diamondbacks baseball.
However, Carroll’s sophomore season in 2024 turned out to be a significant test. As opposing pitchers adjusted and began exploiting his weaknesses at the plate, Carroll’s performance declined noticeably. In the first half of the season, he posted a .212 batting average with just five home runs and 32 RBIs over 94 games leading into the 2024 All-Star Game. Although a late-season surge helped salvage his overall numbers, finishing with 22 homers and 74 RBIs, questions remained heading into 2025 about whether he could recapture the form that made him a breakout star as a rookie. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks were counting on their young outfielder to deliver a bounce-back season and help anchor their lineup in a fiercely competitive NL West.
Through the first 57 games of the 2025 season, Carroll has proven capable of returning to the dominant form that once captivated both fans and players. The third-year starter ranks among the top five in home runs with 16, while also sitting tied for 22nd in RBIs and holding the 18th-best OPS. His improved approach at the plate has not only restored confidence in himself and among fans but has also provided a much-needed spark for an Arizona lineup struggling with consistency. Despite Carroll’s resurgence, the Diamondbacks remain in fourth place in the NL West with a 27–30 record, trailing the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants. As the team looks to climb back into the playoff race, Carroll will be a key factor in their success, especially now that Arizona’s big free-agent acquisition, ace Corbin Burnes, has begun to find his groove after a rocky start to the season in April. If Carroll can maintain his current pace and avoid another drop-off in performance, he could once again catalyze a Diamondbacks postseason run.
