| AB | 589 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .231 |
| OBP | .322 |
| SLG | .428 |
| HR | 22 |
- Full name Corbin Franklin Carroll
- Born 08/21/2000 in Seattle, WA
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Lakeside
- Debut 08/29/2022
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Drafted in the 1st round (16th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 (signed for $3,745,500).
View Draft Report
Carroll wowed scouts all summer by dominating at the plate in almost every high-profile event he attended. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder plays above his size in every facet of the game. He has a polished hit tool and a terrific feel for the strike zone with a patient approach in the batter’s box. Carroll has no problem spitting on pitches just outside the zone and taking a walk, and then he can wreck havoc with his plus speed and advanced feel for running the bases. While Carroll is short, he isn’t small, with a solid frame and improved strength to the point where he could project for at least average power. Carroll’s speed plays in the outfield as well, where he is one of the best defensive center fielders in the class. Scouting directors voted Carroll as best prep defender in the class during the preseason thanks to excellent jumps and efficient route running. Some teams question his arm strength, and it was previously fringe-average, though reports on his throwing this spring have continued to improve as he’s gotten stronger. There are very few holes to speak of in Carroll’s game, although his size and some of the comparisons he’s gotten to Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak, who has struggled since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, might give some teams pause. Still, Carroll has shown more impact ability than Moniak did at the same age. He is also praised for his excellent makeup, high baseball IQ and impressive work ethic. Carroll’s all-around package and polish could allow him to become the highest-drafted Washington high schooler this century, passing Reese McGuire (2013) and Travis Snider (2006), who were both selected with the 14th overall pick. Carroll is committed to UCLA.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 65/Medium
Track Record: Carroll dominated the high school showcase circuit the summer before his draft year, then performed well in his senior season, all the while showing an advanced approach, surprising power and a well-rounded skill set. He was seen as a surefire first-round selection when the D-backs drafted him No. 16 overall and signed him away from a UCLA commitment with a $3.75 million bonus. The pandemic wiped out Carroll's 2020 season, other than time spent at the alternate training site, and he played in just seven games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery to repair labrum and capsule tears. The D-backs kept their expectations for his 2022 season in check, unsure how his shoulder would respond or if he would need to knock off rust, but Carroll got off to a red-hot start with Double-A Amarillo and never slowed down, mashing his way first to Triple-A Reno then to a major league callup in late August. He performed well in the majors over the final six weeks of the season despite arriving with just 142 career games of minor league experience under his belt.
Scouting Report: Carroll has a powerful swing, excellent bat-to-ball skills and a discerning eye, a combination of traits often found in baseball's premier hitters. Though small in size, Carroll gets the most out of his elite, quick-twitch athletic ability at the plate. He loads into his back side before driving forward, efficiently transferring energy from his core and into his swing. His tendency to offer at the right pitches and square them up leads to a heavy dose of exit velocities at 100 mph and higher. He uses the whole field well, including going the other way with power; his first two career homers in the majors were hit to center and left field. Carroll is an explosive runner with elite speed. His top sprint speed during his brief time in the majors was the second-fastest ever recorded in the eight-year history of Statcast data. He is aggressive on the bases with excellent instincts. Carroll's speed plays well in the outfield, where he can let loose his athleticism to make rangy catches. His fringe-average arm is his only subpar tool.
The Future: The D-backs kept Carroll's at-bat total low in the majors in order to keep his rookie status intact and potentially make a push for Rookie of the Year honors--and the accompanying extra draft pick. As such, he received only semi-regular playing time and never seemed to get locked in at the plate. And yet he still managed to hit an impressive .260/.330/.500. Carroll exhibited some areas that could use polish. He showed more chase and swing-and-miss than he had in the minors and struggled in limited looks against lefthanders. Still, evaluators are unanimous in their excitement about his future, with questions only about how many all-star appearances he is expected to make. He figures to be a mainstay in Arizona's lineup for years, starting with Opening Day 2023.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45 -
Track Record: Carroll emerged early as one of the most talented players in the 2019 draft class, but concerns about his small stature caused him to fall to the 16th overall pick, where the D-backs were thrilled to scoop him up. He signed for $3.75 million to pass up a UCLA commitment and quickly went about justifying the D-backs’ excitement. Carroll performed well in his pro debut while advancing out of the complex leagues after only 31 games and excelled at the alternate training site in 2020. He got off to a fast start at High-A Hillsboro in 2021 with 10 hits in his first 23 at-bats, but he hurt himself on a home-run swing in his seventh game of the season, tearing his labrum and capsule in his right, non-throwing shoulder. After having season-ending surgery in mid May, Carroll tried to make the most of his downtime by taking college classes and attending D-backs games at Chase Field, where he sat behind the plate with the team’s advance scout, Jeff Gardner, asking questions and talking baseball.
Scouting Report: Carroll is a dynamic, multi-talented player who projects to fit at or near the top of a major league lineup. He has a fluid lefthanded swing, an all-fields approach and a propensity for finding the barrel, all of which helps him project to be a plus hitter. He produces impressive slugging numbers despite his 5-foot-10, 165-pound stature by shooting balls into the gaps and down the lines for extra bases. He has the sort of effortless swing in which he simplifies his movements to generate high exit velocities with relative ease. He is able to add loft while avoiding too steep of an angle in his swing, resulting in consistent hard contact in the air without a corresponding increase in swings and misses. Beyond his physical skills, Carroll has a mature approach and an advanced feel for the game. He makes quick adjustments at the plate and is sound fundamentally in the outfield and on the bases. He projects to be a plus defensive center fielder with his speed and instincts and should have no problem sticking at the position. If he ends up in a corner, he would profile better in left field, where his fringe-average arm fits best. How Carroll’s tools will play after his injury remains a question. Not only did surgery cost him a year of development, but the procedure was anything but minor, meaning he will have to prove he can get back to being the impact player he was. He has shown upside in limited action but has just 215 career plate appearances in parts of three professional seasons.
The Future: The D-backs still view Carroll as a special talent and the best prospect in their system. Before the injury, he drew comparisons to the likes of Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury. He hopes to be fully healthy for the start of the 2022 season and is aiming to show he can be that type of potential all-star again. As long as he is healthy, he should see Double-A at some point in 2022 and has a chance to reach the majors by 2023.
-
Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 70. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45.
TRACK RECORD: Carroll was viewed as an advanced high school hitter when the Diamondbacks selected him with the 16th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $3,745,500 to forgo a UCLA commitment. He lived up to that billing during his pro debut, hitting .299/.409/.481 as he advanced to short-season Hillsboro. Carroll opened even more eyes with his play at the alternate training site in 2020, when he excelled against far more advanced pitchers. He looked so mature in his all-around game that some wondered, albeit prematurely, if he might be the rare fast-to-the-majors high school player.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll is undersized physically at a listed 5-foot-10. That gives him something in common not only with other prospects in Arizona’s system but also Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., all of whom were drafted by the Red Sox under Amiel Sawdaye, who now oversees amateur scouting for the D-backs. Carroll is strong, wiry and tremendously athletic. He has a fluid lefthanded swing he uses to spray hard line drives to all fields. His approach is mature beyond his years with an innate understanding of the strike zone, an ability to recognize spin and a knack for swinging at pitches on which he can do damage. Carroll is quick to make adjustments and showed during his time at the alternate training site that pitchers couldn’t get him out the same way twice. He has plus-plus speed and gets out of the box quickly, which allows him to beat out his share of infield hits. Carroll’s raw power is impressive and he can drive balls with authority in games, but evaluators caution he might be more of a 10-15 home run-type whose speed will help inflate his slugging percentages early in his career before he grows into more power as he matures. He projects as a plus defender in center field and can shift to both corners without issue. His fringe-average arm strength is the only part of his game that leaves something to be desired. Carroll’s excellent makeup and determined work ethic create optimism he will make the most of his abilities and reach his full potential.
THE FUTURE: Carroll has played 42 career professional games and still has much to prove—including that he can maintain his level of play across a full season—but he has fewer areas of his game that need refining than most 20-year-olds. Many D-backs officials see Carroll as the player in their system most likely to become a star, with comparisons ranging from Benintendi to Adam Eaton to Johnny Damon. -
TRACK RECORD: The D-backs' front office hasn't shied away from taking undersized position players high in the draft the past few years, and the 5-foot- 10 Carroll became the latest such selection. The club was thrilled a player it had rated in the top 10 of the draft made it to No. 16 overall. Carroll signed for $3.75 million, forgoing his commitment to UCLA.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll, whose game is similar to fellow D-backs prospect Alek Thomas, described his play as “tools meets gamer.” Scouts and coaches paint a similar picture. Carroll has a fluid swing with which he sprays line drives to all fields. He has surprising average raw power, which he put on display during an impressive batting practice session at Chase Field after he signed. In his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League, he showed some swing-and-miss tendencies but also carried an impressive 15.5 percent walk rate. Carroll is a burner whose plus-plus speed plays on the bases and in center field, where he projects to be a plus defender. He has an accurate but below-average arm. An advanced player for his age, he has good instincts and good baseball acumen.
THE FUTURE: Carroll will look to build on his strong pro debut in 2020, beginning at low Class A Kane County.
Draft Prospects
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Carroll wowed scouts all summer by dominating at the plate in almost every high-profile event he attended. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder plays above his size in every facet of the game. He has a polished hit tool and a terrific feel for the strike zone with a patient approach in the batter's box. Carroll has no problem spitting on pitches just outside the zone and taking a walk, and then he can wreck havoc with his plus speed and advanced feel for running the bases. While Carroll is short, he isn't small, with a solid frame and improved strength to the point where he could project for at least average power. Carroll's speed plays in the outfield as well, where he is one of the best defensive center fielders in the class. Scouting directors voted Carroll as best prep defender in the class during the preseason thanks to excellent jumps and efficient route running. Some teams question his arm strength, and it was previously fringe-average, though reports on his throwing this spring have continued to improve as he's gotten stronger. There are very few holes to speak of in Carroll's game, although his size and some of the comparisons he's gotten to Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak, who has struggled since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, might give some teams pause. Still, Carroll has shown more impact ability than Moniak did at the same age. He is also praised for his excellent makeup, high baseball IQ and impressive work ethic. Carroll's all-around package and polish could allow him to become the highest-drafted Washington high schooler this century, passing Reese McGuire (2013) and Travis Snider (2006), who were both selected with the 14th overall pick. Carroll is committed to UCLA.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Carroll was the first of the D-backs’ four first-round picks in 2019. He is the whole package, according to his hitting coach Darrin Garner. "He has some really serious tools,” Garner said. "He can run, he can throw, he has some power in his bat at a young age and it’s only going to get better.” Carroll is more of a spray hitter, making hard contact with a stroke geared for line drives. More power should come with experience and physical maturity. He’s a plus-plus runner who can stay in center field, where his fringe-average but accurate arm will play. Carroll is lauded for his outstanding makeup and baseball IQ, and the D-backs promoted him to short-season Hillsboro for the Hops’ postseason run.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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BA Grade/Risk: 65/Medium
Track Record: Carroll dominated the high school showcase circuit the summer before his draft year, then performed well in his senior season, all the while showing an advanced approach, surprising power and a well-rounded skill set. He was seen as a surefire first-round selection when the D-backs drafted him No. 16 overall and signed him away from a UCLA commitment with a $3.75 million bonus. The pandemic wiped out Carroll's 2020 season, other than time spent at the alternate training site, and he played in just seven games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery to repair labrum and capsule tears. The D-backs kept their expectations for his 2022 season in check, unsure how his shoulder would respond or if he would need to knock off rust, but Carroll got off to a red-hot start with Double-A Amarillo and never slowed down, mashing his way first to Triple-A Reno then to a major league callup in late August. He performed well in the majors over the final six weeks of the season despite arriving with just 142 career games of minor league experience under his belt.
Scouting Report: Carroll has a powerful swing, excellent bat-to-ball skills and a discerning eye, a combination of traits often found in baseball's premier hitters. Though small in size, Carroll gets the most out of his elite, quick-twitch athletic ability at the plate. He loads into his back side before driving forward, efficiently transferring energy from his core and into his swing. His tendency to offer at the right pitches and square them up leads to a heavy dose of exit velocities at 100 mph and higher. He uses the whole field well, including going the other way with power; his first two career homers in the majors were hit to center and left field. Carroll is an explosive runner with elite speed. His top sprint speed during his brief time in the majors was the second-fastest ever recorded in the eight-year history of Statcast data. He is aggressive on the bases with excellent instincts. Carroll's speed plays well in the outfield, where he can let loose his athleticism to make rangy catches. His fringe-average arm is his only subpar tool.
The Future: The D-backs kept Carroll's at-bat total low in the majors in order to keep his rookie status intact and potentially make a push for Rookie of the Year honors--and the accompanying extra draft pick. As such, he received only semi-regular playing time and never seemed to get locked in at the plate. And yet he still managed to hit an impressive .260/.330/.500. Carroll exhibited some areas that could use polish. He showed more chase and swing-and-miss than he had in the minors and struggled in limited looks against lefthanders. Still, evaluators are unanimous in their excitement about his future, with questions only about how many all-star appearances he is expected to make. He figures to be a mainstay in Arizona's lineup for years, starting with Opening Day 2023.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45 -
BA Grade/Risk: 65/Medium
Track Record: Carroll dominated the high school showcase circuit the summer before his draft year, then performed well in his senior season, all the while showing an advanced approach, surprising power and a well-rounded skill set. He was seen as a surefire first-round selection when the D-backs drafted him No. 16 overall and signed him away from a UCLA commitment with a $3.75 million bonus. The pandemic wiped out Carroll's 2020 season, other than time spent at the alternate training site, and he played in just seven games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery to repair labrum and capsule tears. The D-backs kept their expectations for his 2022 season in check, unsure how his shoulder would respond or if he would need to knock off rust, but Carroll got off to a red-hot start with Double-A Amarillo and never slowed down, mashing his way first to Triple-A Reno then to a major league callup in late August. He performed well in the majors over the final six weeks of the season despite arriving with just 142 career games of minor league experience under his belt.
Scouting Report: Carroll has a powerful swing, excellent bat-to-ball skills and a discerning eye, a combination of traits often found in baseball's premier hitters. Though small in size, Carroll gets the most out of his elite, quick-twitch athletic ability at the plate. He loads into his back side before driving forward, efficiently transferring energy from his core and into his swing. His tendency to offer at the right pitches and square them up leads to a heavy dose of exit velocities at 100 mph and higher. He uses the whole field well, including going the other way with power; his first two career homers in the majors were hit to center and left field. Carroll is an explosive runner with elite speed. His top sprint speed during his brief time in the majors was the second-fastest ever recorded in the eight-year history of Statcast data. He is aggressive on the bases with excellent instincts. Carroll's speed plays well in the outfield, where he can let loose his athleticism to make rangy catches. His fringe-average arm is his only subpar tool.
The Future: The D-backs kept Carroll's at-bat total low in the majors in order to keep his rookie status intact and potentially make a push for Rookie of the Year honors--and the accompanying extra draft pick. As such, he received only semi-regular playing time and never seemed to get locked in at the plate. And yet he still managed to hit an impressive .260/.330/.500. Carroll exhibited some areas that could use polish. He showed more chase and swing-and-miss than he had in the minors and struggled in limited looks against lefthanders. Still, evaluators are unanimous in their excitement about his future, with questions only about how many all-star appearances he is expected to make. He figures to be a mainstay in Arizona's lineup for years, starting with Opening Day 2023.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 80. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45 -
BA Grade: 65/High
Track Record: Carroll emerged early as one of the most talented players in the 2019 draft class, but concerns about his small stature caused him to fall to the 16th overall pick, where the D-backs were thrilled to scoop him up. He signed for $3.75 million to forgo a UCLA commitment and quickly went about justifying the D-backs' excitement. Carroll performed well in his pro debut and excelled at the alternate training site in 2020. He was off to a fast start at High-A Hillsboro in 2021 when he hurt himself on a home-run swing, tearing his labrum and capsule in his right, non-throwing shoulder. After having season-ending surgery in mid-May, Carroll tried to make the most of his downtime by taking college classes and attending D-backs games at Chase Field, where he sat behind the plate with the team's advance scout, Jeff Gardner, asking questions and talking baseball.
Scouting Report: Carroll is a dynamic, multi-talented player who projects to fit at or near the top of a major league lineup. He has a fluid lefthanded swing, an all-fields approach and a propensity for finding the barrel, all of which helps him project to be a plus hitter. He produces impressive slugging numbers despite his 5-foot-10, 165-pound stature by shooting balls into the gaps and down the lines for extra bases. He has a sort of effortless swing in which he simplifies his movements to generate high exit velocities with ease. He is able to add loft while avoiding too steep of an angle in his swing, resulting in consistent hard contact in the air without a corresponding increase in swings and misses at a level rarely seen for a player his age. Beyond his physical skills, Carroll has a mature approach and an advanced feel for the game. He makes quick adjustments at the plate and is sound fundamentally in the outfield and on the bases. He covers wide swaths of ground with his plus-plus speed and projects to be plus defensive center fielder. If he ends up in a corner, he would profile better in left field, where his fringe-average arm would best fit. How Carroll's tools play after his injury remains a question. Not only did surgery cost him a year of development, but the procedure was anything but minor, meaning he will have to prove he can get back to being the impact player he was. He has shown upside in limited action but has just 215 career plate appearances in parts of three seasons.
The Future: The D-backs still view Carroll as a special talent. Before the injury, he drew comparisons to the likes of Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury. He hopes to be fully healthy for the start of the 2022 season and is aiming to show he can be that type of potential all-star again.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 70. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45. -
Track Record: Carroll emerged early as one of the most talented players in the 2019 draft class, but concerns about his small stature caused him to fall to the 16th overall pick, where the D-backs were thrilled to scoop him up. He signed for $3.75 million to pass up a UCLA commitment and quickly went about justifying the D-backs’ excitement. Carroll performed well in his pro debut while advancing out of the complex leagues after only 31 games and excelled at the alternate training site in 2020. He got off to a fast start at High-A Hillsboro in 2021 with 10 hits in his first 23 at-bats, but he hurt himself on a home-run swing in his seventh game of the season, tearing his labrum and capsule in his right, non-throwing shoulder. After having season-ending surgery in mid May, Carroll tried to make the most of his downtime by taking college classes and attending D-backs games at Chase Field, where he sat behind the plate with the team’s advance scout, Jeff Gardner, asking questions and talking baseball.
Scouting Report: Carroll is a dynamic, multi-talented player who projects to fit at or near the top of a major league lineup. He has a fluid lefthanded swing, an all-fields approach and a propensity for finding the barrel, all of which helps him project to be a plus hitter. He produces impressive slugging numbers despite his 5-foot-10, 165-pound stature by shooting balls into the gaps and down the lines for extra bases. He has the sort of effortless swing in which he simplifies his movements to generate high exit velocities with relative ease. He is able to add loft while avoiding too steep of an angle in his swing, resulting in consistent hard contact in the air without a corresponding increase in swings and misses. Beyond his physical skills, Carroll has a mature approach and an advanced feel for the game. He makes quick adjustments at the plate and is sound fundamentally in the outfield and on the bases. He projects to be a plus defensive center fielder with his speed and instincts and should have no problem sticking at the position. If he ends up in a corner, he would profile better in left field, where his fringe-average arm fits best. How Carroll’s tools will play after his injury remains a question. Not only did surgery cost him a year of development, but the procedure was anything but minor, meaning he will have to prove he can get back to being the impact player he was. He has shown upside in limited action but has just 215 career plate appearances in parts of three professional seasons.
The Future: The D-backs still view Carroll as a special talent and the best prospect in their system. Before the injury, he drew comparisons to the likes of Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury. He hopes to be fully healthy for the start of the 2022 season and is aiming to show he can be that type of potential all-star again. As long as he is healthy, he should see Double-A at some point in 2022 and has a chance to reach the majors by 2023.
-
Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 70. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45.
TRACK RECORD: Carroll was viewed as an advanced high school hitter when the Diamondbacks selected him with the 16th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $3,745,500 to forgo a UCLA commitment. He lived up to that billing during his pro debut, hitting .299/.409/.481 as he advanced to short-season Hillsboro. Carroll opened even more eyes with his play at the alternate training site in 2020, when he excelled against far more advanced pitchers. He looked so mature in his all-around game that some wondered, albeit prematurely, if he might be the rare fast-to-the-majors high school player.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll is undersized physically at a listed 5-foot-10. That gives him something in common not only with other prospects in Arizona's system but also Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., all of whom were drafted by the Red Sox under Amiel Sawdaye, who now oversees amateur scouting for the D-backs. Carroll is strong, wiry and tremendously athletic. He has a fluid lefthanded swing he uses to spray hard line drives to all fields. His approach is mature beyond his years with an innate understanding of the strike zone, an ability to recognize spin and a knack for swinging at pitches on which he can do damage. Carroll is quick to make adjustments and showed during his time at the alternate training site that pitchers couldn't get him out the same way twice. He has plus-plus speed and gets out of the box quickly, which allows him to beat out his share of infield hits. Carroll's raw power is impressive and he can drive balls with authority in games, but evaluators caution he might be more of a 10-15 home run-type whose speed will help inflate his slugging percentages early in his career before he grows into more power as he matures. He projects as a plus defender in center field and can shift to both corners without issue. His fringe-average arm strength is the only part of his game that leaves something to be desired. Carroll's excellent makeup and determined work ethic create optimism he will make the most of his abilities and reach his full potential.
THE FUTURE: Carroll has played 42 career professional games and still has much to prove—including that he can maintain his level of play across a full season—but he has fewer areas of his game that need refining than most 20-year-olds. Many D-backs officials see Carroll as the player in their system most likely to become a star, with comparisons ranging from Benintendi to Adam Eaton to Johnny Damon. -
Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 70. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45.
TRACK RECORD: Carroll was viewed as an advanced high school hitter when the Diamondbacks selected him with the 16th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $3,745,500 to forgo a UCLA commitment. He lived up to that billing during his pro debut, hitting .299/.409/.481 as he advanced to short-season Hillsboro. Carroll opened even more eyes with his play at the alternate training site in 2020, when he excelled against far more advanced pitchers. He looked so mature in his all-around game that some wondered, albeit prematurely, if he might be the rare fast-to-the-majors high school player.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll is undersized physically at a listed 5-foot-10. That gives him something in common not only with other prospects in Arizona’s system but also Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., all of whom were drafted by the Red Sox under Amiel Sawdaye, who now oversees amateur scouting for the D-backs. Carroll is strong, wiry and tremendously athletic. He has a fluid lefthanded swing he uses to spray hard line drives to all fields. His approach is mature beyond his years with an innate understanding of the strike zone, an ability to recognize spin and a knack for swinging at pitches on which he can do damage. Carroll is quick to make adjustments and showed during his time at the alternate training site that pitchers couldn’t get him out the same way twice. He has plus-plus speed and gets out of the box quickly, which allows him to beat out his share of infield hits. Carroll’s raw power is impressive and he can drive balls with authority in games, but evaluators caution he might be more of a 10-15 home run-type whose speed will help inflate his slugging percentages early in his career before he grows into more power as he matures. He projects as a plus defender in center field and can shift to both corners without issue. His fringe-average arm strength is the only part of his game that leaves something to be desired. Carroll’s excellent makeup and determined work ethic create optimism he will make the most of his abilities and reach his full potential.
THE FUTURE: Carroll has played 42 career professional games and still has much to prove—including that he can maintain his level of play across a full season—but he has fewer areas of his game that need refining than most 20-year-olds. Many D-backs officials see Carroll as the player in their system most likely to become a star, with comparisons ranging from Benintendi to Adam Eaton to Johnny Damon. -
Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 70. Fielding: 60. Arm: 45.
TRACK RECORD: Carroll was viewed as an advanced high school hitter when the Diamondbacks selected him with the 16th overall pick in 2019 and signed him for $3,745,500 to forgo a UCLA commitment. He lived up to that billing during his pro debut, hitting .299/.409/.481 as he advanced to short-season Hillsboro. Carroll opened even more eyes with his play at the alternate training site in 2020, when he excelled against far more advanced pitchers. He looked so mature in his all-around game that some wondered, albeit prematurely, if he might be the rare fast-to-the-majors high school player.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll is undersized physically at a listed 5-foot-10. That gives him something in common not only with other prospects in Arizona’s system but also Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., all of whom were drafted by the Red Sox under Amiel Sawdaye, who now oversees amateur scouting for the D-backs. Carroll is strong, wiry and tremendously athletic. He has a fluid lefthanded swing he uses to spray hard line drives to all fields. His approach is mature beyond his years with an innate understanding of the strike zone, an ability to recognize spin and a knack for swinging at pitches on which he can do damage. Carroll is quick to make adjustments and showed during his time at the alternate training site that pitchers couldn’t get him out the same way twice. He has plus-plus speed and gets out of the box quickly, which allows him to beat out his share of infield hits. Carroll’s raw power is impressive and he can drive balls with authority in games, but evaluators caution he might be more of a 10-15 home run-type whose speed will help inflate his slugging percentages early in his career before he grows into more power as he matures. He projects as a plus defender in center field and can shift to both corners without issue. His fringe-average arm strength is the only part of his game that leaves something to be desired. Carroll’s excellent makeup and determined work ethic create optimism he will make the most of his abilities and reach his full potential.
THE FUTURE: Carroll has played 42 career professional games and still has much to prove—including that he can maintain his level of play across a full season—but he has fewer areas of his game that need refining than most 20-year-olds. Many D-backs officials see Carroll as the player in their system most likely to become a star, with comparisons ranging from Benintendi to Adam Eaton to Johnny Damon. -
TRACK RECORD: The D-backs’ front office hasn’t shied away from taking undersized position players high in the draft the past few years, and the 5-foot- 10 Carroll became the latest such selection. The club was thrilled a player it had rated in the top 10 of the draft made it to No. 16 overall. Carroll signed for $3.75 million, forgoing his commitment to UCLA.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll, whose game is similar to fellow D-backs prospect Alek Thomas, described his play as “tools meets gamer.” Scouts and coaches paint a similar picture. Carroll has a fluid swing with which he sprays line drives to all fields. He has surprising average raw power, which he put on display during an impressive batting practice session at Chase Field after he signed. In his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League, he showed some swing-and-miss tendencies but also carried an impressive 15.5 percent walk rate. Carroll is a burner whose plus-plus speed plays on the bases and in center field, where he projects to be a plus defender. He has an accurate but below-average arm. An advanced player for his age, he has good instincts and good baseball acumen.
THE FUTURE: Carroll will look to build on his strong pro debut in 2020, beginning at low Class A Kane County. -
TRACK RECORD: The D-backs' front office hasn't shied away from taking undersized position players high in the draft the past few years, and the 5-foot- 10 Carroll became the latest such selection. The club was thrilled a player it had rated in the top 10 of the draft made it to No. 16 overall. Carroll signed for $3.75 million, forgoing his commitment to UCLA.
SCOUTING REPORT: Carroll, whose game is similar to fellow D-backs prospect Alek Thomas, described his play as “tools meets gamer.” Scouts and coaches paint a similar picture. Carroll has a fluid swing with which he sprays line drives to all fields. He has surprising average raw power, which he put on display during an impressive batting practice session at Chase Field after he signed. In his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League and short-season Northwest League, he showed some swing-and-miss tendencies but also carried an impressive 15.5 percent walk rate. Carroll is a burner whose plus-plus speed plays on the bases and in center field, where he projects to be a plus defender. He has an accurate but below-average arm. An advanced player for his age, he has good instincts and good baseball acumen.
THE FUTURE: Carroll will look to build on his strong pro debut in 2020, beginning at low Class A Kane County. -
Carroll wowed scouts all summer by dominating at the plate in almost every high-profile event he attended. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder plays above his size in every facet of the game. He has a polished hit tool and a terrific feel for the strike zone with a patient approach in the batter's box. Carroll has no problem spitting on pitches just outside the zone and taking a walk, and then he can wreck havoc with his plus speed and advanced feel for running the bases. While Carroll is short, he isn't small, with a solid frame and improved strength to the point where he could project for at least average power. Carroll's speed plays in the outfield as well, where he is one of the best defensive center fielders in the class. Scouting directors voted Carroll as best prep defender in the class during the preseason thanks to excellent jumps and efficient route running. Some teams question his arm strength, and it was previously fringe-average, though reports on his throwing this spring have continued to improve as he's gotten stronger. There are very few holes to speak of in Carroll's game, although his size and some of the comparisons he's gotten to Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak, who has struggled since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, might give some teams pause. Still, Carroll has shown more impact ability than Moniak did at the same age. He is also praised for his excellent makeup, high baseball IQ and impressive work ethic. Carroll's all-around package and polish could allow him to become the highest-drafted Washington high schooler this century, passing Reese McGuire (2013) and Travis Snider (2006), who were both selected with the 14th overall pick. Carroll is committed to UCLA. -
Carroll was the first of the D-backs’ four first-round picks in 2019. He is the whole package, according to his hitting coach Darrin Garner. "He has some really serious tools,” Garner said. "He can run, he can throw, he has some power in his bat at a young age and it’s only going to get better.” Carroll is more of a spray hitter, making hard contact with a stroke geared for line drives. More power should come with experience and physical maturity. He’s a plus-plus runner who can stay in center field, where his fringe-average but accurate arm will play. Carroll is lauded for his outstanding makeup and baseball IQ, and the D-backs promoted him to short-season Hillsboro for the Hops’ postseason run.
