Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll has quietly put together a generational season.
Carroll was 2-5 with a three-run homer in the Diamondbacks’ 10-5 victory over the Red Sox on Friday. He has a .259/.334/.559 batting line in 560 plate appearances following that performance, hitting 30 homers, 28 doubles and a major league leading 16 triples while stealing 24 bases. Carroll has quietly put together one of the better all-around seasons in the majors this year.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll joins exclusive group
Carroll’s 30th home run also put him in rare company. He became the fourth player in MLB history to have 30+ homers, 15+ triples and 20+ steals in the same season, joining Hall of Fame outfielders Chuck Klein (1932) and Willie Mays (1957) and former Phillies All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins (2007).
He may not be done joining an exclusive company this season. Carroll is four triples away from a season with 20+ homers, 20+ doubles. 20+ triples and 20+ steals. That feat has been accomplished four times in major league history by Rollins (2007) and outfielders Frank Schulte (1911), Mays (1957) and Curtis Granderson (2007).
This season may only be the beginning. Carroll has begun to tap into his power potential even more this season, setting a career high in average exit velocity (92.4 MPH), hard-hit rate (51.4%) and bat speed (74.8 MPH). He has also begun pulling the ball more, as his 23.4% pulled fly ball rate is a career best.
There have been drawbacks to Carroll’s increased power. His 138 strikeouts and 24.6% strikeout rate are the worst of his career. However, Carroll is still drawing walks at an above-average rate. If he can return to his previous contact levels and improve his chase rates, Carroll could emerge as a perennial MVP candidate.
At 25 years old, Carroll is still approaching his prime and should be a perennial All-Star for years to come. As impressive as this season has been, the Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder could get even better.
