From the desk of Casey Wilcox/Arizona Diamondbacks

When the Diamondbacks opted to use their first-round draft pick on outfielder Corbin Carroll in 2019, they felt like they had good fortune to be able to call out of his name in light of the fact they didn’t get to make their selection until the 16th selection.

Four years later, the Diamondbacks have called on Carroll again. Impressed with his adjustment to pro ball, including a couple stints at the big-league level, Arizona signed Carroll to an eight-year contract that runs through 2030 with a club option for 2031.

But then, it’s no real surprise to the folks who have followed Carroll’s efforts to earn his big-league residence. He came into the season rated MLB’s No. 1 prospect, and was cited in Baseball America’s Best Tools edition as the Diamondbacks best hitter for average, strike-zone discipline and fastest baserunner.

He. received a late-season callup from Arizona in 2022, hitting .260 in 32 games with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 14 RBI, eight walks and two stolen bases. That came on the heals of being named USA Today’s 2022 Minor League Player of the Year. He hit .303 with a 1.026 OPS, 22 doubles, eight triples, 23 homeruns, 61 RBI, 54 walks and 31 stolen bases in 91 games between AA Amarillo and Triple-A Reno.

In four Minor League seasons he appeared in 142 games, hitting .310 with a 1.014 OPS, 32 doubles, 17 triples, 28 home runs, 87 RBI, 102 walks and 52 stolen base.