ESPN’s Buster Olney says Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll is a legitimate NL MVP candidate

ESPN MLB reporter Buster Olney says Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is a legitimate MVP candidate in the National League in 2025.

Olney told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Friday that Carroll’s start to 2025 and his play when second baseman Ketel Marte was out of the lineup is a big factor into why he thinks the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year is in the MVP discussion.

“The way he’s gone back into what he did in the second half last year and built on that,” Olney said. “The kind of damage that he’s doing and the way that he propped up this team without Marte in the lineup. It’s such a better start than last year.”

How well has Corbin Carroll played to start the 2025 season?

Through 38 games, Carroll is slashing .289/.362/.597 with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs.

Carroll is among the top of the NL in several categories, including being tied for second in home runs (11) and hits (46), fourth in slugging percentage (.597) and OPS (.957) and eighth in RBIs (28).

In contrast to 2024, Carroll did not hit his 11th home run until August 11.

Olney added that while he has New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso as his top NL MVP candidate, Carroll is a top 3 candidate this season.

“Pete Alonso has been amazing this year but as opposed to in the American League where Aaron Judge is gonna run away with the award, Corbin Carroll has a real shot this year.”

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