The Arizona Diamondbacks are betting big on Corbin Carroll.
The top prospect has agreed to an eight-year, $111 million contract that could keep the Diamondbacks’ future centerpiece in Arizona for the majority of his career, According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, The deal reportedly includes a ninth-year option worth $23 million, as well as salary escalators over the final three years.
Federation news confirmed later saturday.
The value of the deal is reportedly a record for a player with less than 100 days of MLB service time and no experience in a non-US league, eclipsing the mark of the $72 million contract Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II signed last season. broke.
The nine-point investment comes after only 32 career MLB games for Carroll, who had a cup of coffee in the final month of last season. The 22-year-old impressed in that limited opportunity, hitting .260/.330/.500 with four homers in 115 plate appearances.
That success continued into this spring training, as Carroll was 6-for-18 with three extra base hits and seven walks in 25 plate appearances entering Saturday.
Arizona drafted Carroll with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft and has since watched the outfielder quickly blossom into a future star. Carroll’s rookie eligibility remains intact for 2023, and he is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in baseball by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, behind only Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles.
The latter’s scouting service praises Carroll as a true five-tool player, highlighting a maximum 80 grade on his speed, a 70 grade on his glove, and a 65 hit tool.
Carroll is one of three top-15 prospects for the Diamondbacks as ranked by MLB Pipeline. 2021 sixth overall pick Jordan Lawler and 2022 second overall pick Drew Jones are both waiting in the wings but are not expected to debut this year.
Why did the Diamondbacks extend Carroll, and why did he agree?
As reportedly constructed, Carroll’s contract would tie him to Arizona through 2031 and potentially 2032 if the Diamondbacks exercise the team option.
Prior to the deal, Carroll would have been set to hit free agency after the 2028 season, so he has effectively traded up to four potentially lucrative seasons after free agency for the immediate security of a contract that will provide him and his family. should be supported for a long time. Time.
Deals such as Carroll’s – in which a young player who is not yet arbitration-eligible signs a long-term extension for less money than he would likely receive years later in free agency – has become increasingly prevalent in MLB. And are usually great value for teams. That’s exactly what the Washington Nationals did the day before, signing young catcher Keibert Ruiz Eight year, $50 million deal,
For Carroll, $111 million is life-changing money, and if he becomes great and stays great until age 32, he stands to earn even more. The MLBPA is never happy with such deals, but players take them for a reason.