Diamondbacks rookie accomplishes impressive MLB first
First-year outfielder Corbin Carroll put an exclamation mark on his 2023 campaign, accomplishing an MLB first (by a rookie or otherwise) on Thursday.
Tripling in the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox, Carroll became the first player in baseball history to accumulate 25 or more home runs, 10 triples and 50-plus stolen bases in a single season.
Carroll's latest brush with baseball history comes roughly a week after he became the first rookie to hit 25 homers and steal 50 bases. Behind Carroll and others, the Diamondbacks are on pace to return to the postseason for the first time since 2017. Thursday's loss dropped Arizona to 84-75, but they still occupy the second wild-card spot in the National League, holding a 1.5-game lead over the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins, who are both 82-76.
Carroll's breakout campaign shows an overall evolution of the game, with Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. playing the ring leader. Acuna has put together a historic year never before seen in baseball by posting a remarkably well-rounded stat line, leading the league in several categories while becoming the first member of the 40-home run, 70-stolen base club.
The 22-year-old Carroll isn't at Acuna's level yet, but he has the potential for the same kind of growth. Acuna posted impressive numbers his first year, winning Rookie of the Year honors. However, the following season, the Braves star exploded, tallying 41 home runs, 101 RBI and 37 stolen bases while finishing fifth in the MVP voting.
There's no way of knowing if Carroll can reach the heights of Acuna, but in a small sample size, his skill-set certainly fits the mold.
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