Everyone has their favorite Diamondbacks player, but prepare to have a new one in 2023...
OF Corbin Carroll
22-year-old Corbin Carroll has looked like a 10-year veteran through 8 spring training games in 2023. In 22 at-bats, he has 3 singles, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 RBIs, and 7 walks. I think it is safe to say that Carroll has been stuffing the stat sheet…
Corbin Carroll was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. In 142 minor league games from 2019-2022, Carroll hit 32 doubles, 28 HRs, 87 RBIs, and slashed .310/.426/.588 for an OPS of 1.014. That success translated to the bigs as in 32 games with the D-backs in his debut season (2022), Carroll hit 9 doubles, 4 HRs, 14 RBIs, and recorded an OPS of .830. He also recorded an OAA of 5, meaning he was great defensively as well. This kid is going to be special, and he is starting to show that he is not only a good hitter but a guy that also possesses a keen eye at the plate. A rare gift for young ball players. His performance has wowed the Diamondbacks front office so much that on March 11, 2023, Corbin Carroll signed an 8-year / $111,000,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, including a $5,000,000 signing bonus, $111,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $13,875,000. In 2023, Carroll will earn a base salary of $1,000,000 and a signing bonus of $5,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $1,625,000…
RP Kyle Nelson
I know, I know, relief pitchers aren’t very exciting, but Kyle Nelson might break that norm in 2023. In 2022, Nelson went 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA over the course of 37 relief innings. So far in spring training, he has pitched 5 innings, given up 2 earned runs, and has recorded 5 Ks. Nelson will be a fun lefty to watch out of the Arizona bullpen this season. He possesses a nasty slider and an effective 4-seam fastball. If his curveball can develop more this season, he could potentially be one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball. Step aside, Josh Hader…
SS Blaze Alexander
I have said it before and I will say it again, Blaze Alexander has to be the coolest name ever. For Blaze, it isn’t a matter of if he will play in the bigs, it is a matter of when. Blaze has a good chance to get called up late in the 2023 season. When he does get the call-up, be ready to be amazed…
Alexander is ranked #11 in the D-backs farm system; A farm system that is as deep as the ocean. Last season in 98 minor league games, Blaze hit 18 doubles, 20 HRs, 59 RBIs, and slashed .301/.389/.540 for an OPS of .929. The crazy thing is, his bat isn’t his best tool. He has a cannon of an arm and a slick glove. In 10 spring training games this year, Blaze has hit 2 doubles, drove in 4 runs, and has a .631 OPS. The sky is the limit for this 23-year-old kid, and if he gets the call to the bigs this season, fans should be filled with excitement…