Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll may need a historic season to win the MVP

After suffering a hamate bone injury before the season, which prevented him from playing in the World Baseball Classic, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll has been amazing this season. 

Through 57 games, the two-time All-Star is batting .289 with a .925 OPS (fifth in the National League), eight home runs and eight triples (leads Major League Baseball). Placing high in some of the biggest offensive categories, Carroll is a favorite to win or place high in the National League MVP voting. But he will likely lose out to Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani. 

Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll may need a historic season to dethrone Shohei Ohtani for the MVP award

Regardless of how great players like Carroll, Washington Nationals' James Wood and Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber do, there seems to be nothing that can be done to dethrone the four-time MVP, who received 30 first-place votes in MLB's latest poll to win the award. For his efforts, Carroll placed third behind Ohtani and Wood, but he does have what it takes to overtake both. 

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"The D-backs are one of three franchises that have never had a player take home MVP honors," wrote Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. "Could Carroll change that? It’s possible: He’s an all-around star, a strong defender and elite baserunner who is having his best offensive season to date. Carroll has a .286/.379/.534 slash line in 2026 with seven homers, seven steals and an MLB-high eight triples. He’s been among MLB’s best players ever since his 2023 Rookie of the Year season, and he’s having his finest season yet. Is it enough?" 

Carroll's best chance to dethrone Ohtani is a 20/20/20/20 season, which has not been done for nearly 20 years (2007). 20/20/20/20 is hitting 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in one season, with Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson the last to accomplish it. 

Carroll nearly accomplished the feat last season, but fell three triples short (17) of hitting the mark. The Silver Slugger hit career-highs in home runs (31), doubles (32) and RBI (84) and finished sixth in the MVP voting. 

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