When you think of Corbin Carroll, the first things that often come to mind are his blazing speed, improving power and a 30–30 club entry in 2025. But this year, he’s also stepping into the defensive spotlight. He’s not Corbin Carroll, right fielder anymore. He’s now Corbin Carroll Rawlings Gold Glove finalist in right field. He joins Sal Frelick and Fernando Tatis Jr. in representing the National League’s best at the position. It’s the first time Carroll has received this kind of defensive recognition, and it signals that his glove is beginning to catch up with his bat.
For a player previously known more for offense and range than a strong arm, this nomination highlights the improvements Carroll has made en route to the ball, throwing mechanics, and defensive consistency. In this article, we’ll examine his defensive metrics, compare him to his National League right field peers, and consider how this recognition affects his 2026 outlook with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
As you can see, Carroll’s defensive breakout is backed by sharp improvements across multiple categories:
Corbin Carroll’s Defensive Improvements
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outs Above Average (OAA) | +3 | +9 | ↑ +6 |
| Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) | +1 | +5 | ↑ +4 |
| Arm Accuracy (Throwing) | 41st percentile | 63rd percentile | ↑ 63% |
| Outfield assists | 4 | 9 | ↑ +5 |
Defensive Improvement Details
OAA Improvement: Carroll’s jump from +3 to +9 places him second among NL right fielders, trailing only Fernando Tatis Jr.
DRS Improvement: Defensive Runs Saved reflects a stronger impact in run prevention. His +5 DRS ranks in the top five among all NL outfielders, not only right field.
Arm Accuracy: While Carroll’s raw arm strength remains average, his accuracy has improved. He cut down extra-base opportunities with better throws and decisions.
Assists: A career-high 9 assists show a more aggressive defensive approach.
These aren’t random or lucky stat increases. In 2024, it was Corbin Carroll, a good defensive player. But earning the title of Corbin Carroll Rawlings Gold Glove finalist reflects a player who has learned to position himself better and attack balls in right field with much more confidence. Rather than playing it safe, Carroll now charges ground balls aggressively, cutting off extra bases and turning routine plays into outs on the basepath. In the past, he relied on elite speed to cover ground but occasionally took questionable routes and made inconsistent throws. In 2025, the story changed:
Diamondbacks and Carroll Make Changes
Pre-pitch positioning: The Diamondbacks appeared to have shifted their outfield alignments more aggressively, providing Carroll with better opportunities to make plays.
Throwing mechanics: He showed a more compact, crow-hop throw, increasing accuracy without adding velocity.
Reads & routes: Statcast shows Carroll improved his route efficiency from 85% to 93%, meaning he wasted far less movement on balls in flight.
Game planning: Coaches reportedly emphasized cutting off gaps. This worked out perfectly with his top-tier sprint speed, which was number nine among all outfielders at 29.8 feet per second. That’s only 0.4 feet per second slower than the top outfielder Victor Scott II.
The 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove race for the National League’s right fielders comes down to three:
The Rawlings Gold Glove Finalists – Right Field
| Player | Team | OAA | DRS | Assists | Arm Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | SD | +12 | + 8 | 10 | 90th percentile |
| Corbin Carroll | ARI | +9 | +5 | 9 | 63rd percentile |
| Sal Frelick | MIL | +8 | +4 | 5 | 70th percentile |
Carroll’s strength is his range and efficiency. While Fernando Tatis Jr. has the edge in raw arm strength, Carroll narrowed the gap with more accurate throws and better positioning. Frelick ranks closely, but Carroll’s assist total gives him a slight edge. Even if Carroll doesn’t win the award, the fact that he’s in this conversation at all after only one full season in right field is significant.
2026 Implications for Corbin Carroll and the Diamondbacks
MLB projection expert ZIPS predicted Carroll to have a total WAR of 4.3 in 2026 and 2027. That was before the 2025 season, and they put him in the top 20 among all players for each season. Because of his improved offense and defense in 2025, he finished with a WAR of 6.5. That’s good enough for eighth in all of baseball. This will likely alter future projections and place him in the top 10 in MLB, battling Aaron Judge and Trea Turner for the top outfielder spot. Carroll will now be a fixture in right field, allowing the Diamandbacks to focus on other positions. He’ll also get more nati0nal attenti0n since he’s no longer the “speed guy” on the Diamondbacks.
Carroll being a Rawlings Gold Glove finalist in right field is a testament to hard work and adaptability. Once considered a center fielder with good defensive tools, he has emerged as an all-around, high-efficiency right fielder capable of saving runs and controlling the corner outfield. Whether or not he wins, this was a defining defensive season for Carroll. One that raises both his floor and ceiling going into 2026. The Diamondbacks may have found more than simply a star bat. They’ve got a possible Rawlings Gold Glove cornerstone in right field.
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