Diamondbacks' young outfield looks to burst onto the scene in 2023
In 2022, the Arizona Diamondbacks finished the season with a 74-88 record, their third straight season with a losing record.
While they struggled to win, there were bright spots that give the franchise hope for the future. With one of the top farm systems in baseball, there's plenty of help on the way to Arizona.
If this group of outfielders can live up to their potential, Diamondbacks baseball will feature the excitement it has lacked since franchise legend Paul Goldschmidt was traded in 2018.
Corbin Carroll
The top prospect in baseball, Corbin Carroll made his MLB debut in 2022. He managed a .260 batting average in 104 at-bats with 15 of his 27 hits going for extra bases.
He flashed the game-changing speed that instantly makes him one of the fastest players in the big leagues, recording the fastest sprint speed in the MLB during his short stint with the Diamondbacks in 2022 at 30.7 feet per second.
Not only does he have rare speed, but he also has above-average power constantly making solid contact.
Looking to build off of his strong stint with the Diamondbacks at the end of last season, Carroll is the consensus favorite to win the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year.
Jake McCarthy
McCarthy had a short stint with the Diamondbacks during the 2021 season, but in 2022 he saw a bigger role with the team.
Appearing in 99 games he posted a .283 average, 27 extra-base hits, 43 RBIs and 223 stolen bases. This was good enough to finish fourth in the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Drafted in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, McCarthy would spend four seasons in the minor leagues. In those four years, he would hit .285 in exactly 1,000 plate appearances
McCarthy, much like Carroll possesses elite athleticism. Combine that with his above-average and he can turn ground balls into base hits with ease.
Alek Thomas
Thomas also made his MLB debut in 2022, playing in 113 games for the Diamondbacks.
He hit a modest .231 during his rookie campaign, which saw him struggle heavily during the second half posting a .207 average after the all-star break.
Only 22 years old, Thomas has plenty of time to adjust and prove he can hit consistently in the majors. With a .313 average in his four years in the minor leagues, Thomas looks to regain his form after getting a year of experience under his belt.
While the bat didn't translate in 2022, his defense was some of the best in the MLB. One of the finalists for the Gold Glove in his rookie year, Thomas will look to patrol the outfield at Chase Field for years to come.
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