Corbin Carroll, the young and promising outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, faced an arduous journey last season, battling through a prolonged slump that left him feeling adrift for 17 weeks. His performance on the field reflected his struggles, with his batting average slashing to a disappointing .202/.270/.343. By July 29, Carroll’s OPS ranked worse than all but 14 qualified hitters, a stark contrast to the expectations placed on him as a former 16th overall draft pick.
The Diamondbacks experienced their own challenges during this period, falling to seven games below .500. Carroll's struggles were evident, and his lack of home runs in June only compounded the team's difficulties. Seeking guidance, Carroll turned to Zach Brandon, the Diamondbacks' mental-skills coach, who had previously supported him through the pressures of being drafted.
Carroll's journey to the major leagues was not without its setbacks. He missed two minor league seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a shoulder surgery. Despite these challenges, Carroll remained determined to overcome his struggles. With Brandon's help, he implemented a change in his swing, positioning his hands more effectively to improve his performance at the plate.
In the months that followed, Carroll diligently refined his new swing. His efforts bore fruit in August when he was named the National League Player of the Month. During this period, he slashed .280/.342/.700 and hit 11 home runs, playing a pivotal role in propelling the Diamondbacks to lead in several major offensive categories.
"He would always smile when I saw him," Thomas observed. "But I could tell. You could see that he was mentally being hard on himself."
Carroll's turnaround was marked by a crucial at-bat that he described as a turning point in his season.
"That at-bat ended," Carroll recounted, "and I think from that point on, that was probably the turning point, I would say. Right then."
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo echoed this sentiment, noting the impact of Carroll's resurgence.
"Everything I already assumed, and I saw, it was just amplified," Lovullo stated. "Times infinity."
The support from his coaches and teammates underscored the belief they had in Carroll's potential. Mike Hazen, the Diamondbacks' general manager, expressed confidence in Carroll's abilities even during his slump.
"Nothing," Hazen remarked, "other than it confirmed every ounce of belief that we had in him in the first place."
Carroll's resilience and determination became evident as he joined an elite group of players—Bobby Witt Jr., Elly De La Cruz, and Jarren Duran—achieving at least 20 homers, 10 triples, and 30 stolen bases.
The journey through adversity taught Carroll valuable lessons about himself.
"Failure has definitely shaped me," Carroll reflected. "And I think that some of my favorite aspects about myself have come from my responses to failure."
His perseverance and ability to adapt contributed significantly to his transformation on the field.
"As small as it sounds," Carroll acknowledged, "it just helped me not spiral."
Hitting coach Joe Mather highlighted Carroll's growth during this challenging time.
"I think he learned a ton," Mather said.
The experience of overcoming early setbacks in his career provided Carroll with invaluable insights.
"We've always talked about this in player development," Hazen explained. "It's almost a blessing in disguise when players fall on their face in the minor leagues because they gotta figure out a way to pick themselves up when it's not the brightest, shining light on them."
This understanding allowed Carroll to flourish under pressure and ultimately rediscover his form.
By the end of the season, Carroll's batting average settled 54 points lower than the previous year. However, his late-season performance demonstrated his ability to tap into his potential, reminiscent of his old self.
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