The Arizona Diamondbacks have an influx of young talent that fans around the Valley hope can help bring a second World Series trophy back to the desert.
With OF Corbin Carroll, OF Jake McCarthy, C Gabriel Moreno, OF Drew Jones, SS Jordan Lawler and OF Alek Thomas either on the major league roster or soon-to-be, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Of all the talent, Carroll may be the most highly touted prospect fans have seen since Justin Upton was drafted No. 1 overall in 2005.
Carroll currently ranks the No. 3 prospect in baseball.
MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo gave his picks for both Rookie of the Year awards for 2023 and picked Carroll as the overwhelming favorite in the National league.
Mayo gave only two players over a 3% chance to win the award with Carroll receiving 66% of the vote and New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez’s 9% chance.
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“Carroll is the clear front-runner after holding his own during his big league debut last year,” Mayo said. “What made that even more impressive was that he had missed almost all of the 2021 season following shoulder surgery. He made very quick work of the minor leagues in ’22, posting a 1.035 OPS, mostly between Double- and Triple-A before the D-backs called him up.
“The tools are all definitely there, as he’s one of the best pure-hitting prospects in the game, with 70 speed on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. And there’s plenty of power for him to tap into. He hit 24 homers in 93 Minor League games in 2022 and might exceed earlier expectations in this department.”
Mayo mentioned the departure of Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays will play a big factor in Carroll taking home the trophy because of his advantage being slotted into the everyday lineup.
Although it is unclear what position he will play, his presence in the lineup adds a very dangerous tool for Arizona going forward as Carroll is set for his first full year in the majors.
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