The Arizona Diamondbacks, who are pushing the Los Angeles Dodgers to the brink, have an extraordinary rookie outfielder, Corbin Carroll, 23. His uncharacteristic hitting is pushing the Dodgers to the brink.
Carroll started in right field in Game 2 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) of the 2023 Major League Baseball postseason at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday and went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead Arizona to a 4-2 victory.
Carroll drew a full-count walk to Dodgers starter Bobby Miller in the first inning to start a three-run rally, and then drew a walk to Miller with runners on first and second in the second. He harassed Miller by forcing him to throw four pitches in a two-strike unfavorable count. In the seventh, he pushed Joe Kelly’s sinker for a single to left, and in the ninth, he walked on an automatic double play.
Carroll led off Game 1 with a single up the middle off Clayton Kershaw in the first inning, setting the stage for his six-run big inning. It was the second day in a row he’s attacked the Dodgers’ mound after going 2-for-5 with two RBIs, including a solo home run in the second inning. In four games this postseason, including two games of the wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he has exploded for a 5-for-14 performance with two home runs, four RBIs, five walks, two strikeouts and a 1.632 OPS.
The rookie is new to fall baseball, but his incredible focus has helped lead Arizona to a four-game winning streak in fall baseball. After the game, Arizona head coach Torrey Lovullo said in an official interview, “Carroll has an incredible knack for understanding what’s being asked of him at the plate and executing, depending on the situation. It’s hard to believe she’s 23 years old. I’m grateful to have her on our team for the next 10 years.”
Carroll, a left-handed hitting outfielder born to an Irish-American father and Taiwanese mother, was a highly touted prospect who was selected by Arizona with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 draft. The diminutive 5-foot-11, 178-pounder was noted for his explosive speed and ability to make contact, which has improved in the minors. He developed into a classic hot-hitting prospect, earning a big-league call-up in late August. In 32 games, he showed promise, batting 20-for-27 (104 RBI) with four home runs, 14 RBI, and an .830 OPS.
Confident in Carroll’s potential, Arizona moved quickly to sign him to an extension. In March of this year, he signed an eight-year, $110 million extension before the season. The deal, which could be worth up to $134 million if the team option is exercised in 2031, includes salary increases from 2029 to 2031. It locked up Carroll with the highest contract ever for a player with less than 100 days of major league service time and no international experience.메이저놀이터
In his first full season, Carroll has shown why Arizona signed him to a long-term deal. Splitting time between three outfield positions this year, he batted .565 (161-for-565) with 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 116 runs scored, 54 stolen bases and an .868 OPS. His 10 triples led the league. He was named to his first All-Star team and is a favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year.
After a dip in July, he rebounded in August, finished September on a high note, and has exploded in his first postseason. “Carroll has found a way to learn and grow every day and get to this point,” Robullo said. She’s worked very hard on herself,” said Robullo. “She’s got great speed, she can hit the ball,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. If you hit it to the infield, you’re going to get a hit. He controls the zone and knows what to do at the plate.”