Corbin Carroll Joins 25-50 Club as Diamondbacks Thump Giants

Corbin Carroll after stealing a base during the 7–1 Diamondbacks victory over the Giants

September 20, 2023

Diamondbacks 7, Giants 1 — Corbin Carroll Joins 25-50 Club

PHOENIX, Sep. 20 — Cesar Cedeño. Joe Morgan. Ryne Sandberg. Rickey Henderson. Eric Davis. Barry Bonds. Hanley Ramirez. Ronald Acuña Jr, and now Corbin Carroll.

Carroll went 4-for-5 with a homer, an RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases as the Arizona Diamondbacks thumped the San Francisco Giants, 7–1, Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field. By cracking a home run and stealing two bases, Carroll ran his season totals to 25 and 50, respectively — the first rookie to reach the milestones in the same season. He is the ninth player in AL/NL history to ever accomplish the feat. With four of the players doing it twice, this marks the 12th time it has ever been done.

“First time in Major League Baseball for a rookie?” manager Torey Lovullo asked rhetorically. He continued in a joking manner and with an edge of incredulity, “I mean, come on. What are we talking about here?”

Not the Only Highlight

Carroll’s day was one of several strong offensive outputs for the Diamondbacks, winners of five straight. First baseman Christian Walker went 3-for-4 with a double, driving in a run and stealing his 10th base of the season. Catcher Gabriel Moreno went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Second baseman Ketel Marte went 1-for-4 with a homer.

But Carroll was the biggest story of them all. When told the other names on the list, Lovullo paused before responding. Like several others in the room, he was awestruck by the other names on the list. When he spoke, he did so with a proud smile. “You’re getting my blood hot, that’s for sure. I’m pretty excited when I hear those types of things and those types of names.” He shifted gears when discussing the long-term significance. “I know that (Corbin) one day will understand exactly what he’s done in his rookie baseball season. And we all will.”

Lovullo predicted that Carroll would want to “turn the page” and focus on winning the next game. “He’s gonna downplay it, because he’s so humble.” And that’s exactly what happened. Carroll told reporters, “I’m proud of it, but at the same time, we talked about it as a team. This is the time of the year where we’re not playing for personal accomplishments. That’s out the window at this point. All that matters is today and the win.”

Time to Reflect in the Offseason

Embed from Getty Images

Carroll knew going into the game how many stolen bases he needed to reach 50, admitting sheepishly that first base coach Dave McKay asked him before the game how many he needed, and he immediately knew the answer. But he said it is not yet time to focus on the accomplishments. “There will be time for reflection after the season,” he said. “Throughout that process, (we’ll) definitely go over the highs and some of those strengths I had this year” while coming up with strategies to address whatever weaknesses are necessary.

According to Lovullo, it is still important to recognize special accomplishments, however. “I think it’s amazing,” he said of the milestone. “And I want to make sure that I do talk about it in in the way that I did, because it is a spectacular feat. We have to recognize such special accomplishments. He’s a good one, and we know it. (Corbin) is gonna be here a long time — at least 10 years — and we’re excited about that.”

Looking Ahead

Merrill Kelly (12–7) earned the win, while Logan Webb (10–13) took a tough loss, still managing to put forth a quality start in defeat. Kelly went 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits while walking three and striking out five. The lone run came on a solo homer by LaMonte Wade Jr. the first batter of the game. Webb lasted six innings, allowing three runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out four.

The Diamondbacks (81–72) will now embark on a six-game road trip. After a Thursday off-day, they have a three-game weekend series at Yankee Stadium with the New York Yankees (76–75). Brandon Pfaadt (2–8, 5.86 ERA) will start Friday night’s game for the Diamondbacks, while the Yankees have yet to name a starter. First pitch will be at 4:05 pm Arizona Time. The Giants (76–76) will head to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. They open a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (93–57) Thursday. Lefty Kyle Harrison (1–1, 5.18 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Giants, while the Dodgers have yet to name a starter. First pitch Thursday will be at 7:10 pm Pacific.