‘He's a Seattle guy': Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll returns home to face Mariners

CARROLL. CORBIN CARROLL.

It wasn't the voice of an announcer, rather it was the scream of an eager child who stood in the first row behind the visitors' dugout during Friday's batting practice. He hoped his yells would catch the attention of the Arizona Diamondbacks' right fielder who was warming up by second base.

It was hard to tell if the child was a Diamondbacks fan or a Corbin Carroll fan. When the hometown guy comes back for a weekend series, people show up to cheer even if he plays for the opposing team.

Carroll, now 25, was drafted in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft after graduating from Lakeside School in Seattle. He was called up to the major leagues in 2022 and has been named National League Rookie of the Year, a Silver Slugger and two-time All-Star in the years since.

The series offers Carroll the opportunity to come home for "all the good stuff," which includes catching up with family and friends. (And sleeping at home, rather than the team hotel).

"There's also the piece of it, playing in the ballpark that you grew up going to the games at, it's very full circle," Carroll said.

Carroll was raised in Queen Anne and grew up a Mariners fan. Standing by the dugout during Friday's batting practice, he gestured to the general area above home plate.

"We had season tickets in this general vicinity," Carroll said. "That was my view of the game when we were here."

He pointed out that a lot has changed at T-Mobile in the years since, including the vendors. (He recalled that the now-gone Din Tai Fung which was added in 2018 was a "big deal" when it was added).

Ivar's - where a young Carroll would get clams and chips - is still on offer. But now that he's playing in the games, he's privy to a different treat.

"The visiting clubhouse here is well known for having the ice cream machine," Carroll said. "So I think a couple of people have already indulged in that. "

Food, specifically good food, is important to Carroll. Kellen Sundin, who coached Carroll during his time at Lakeside, said the pair often spend an hour debating where to eat.

Finding the best food spot in the city he's in has become an off-day hobby for Carroll. But in Seattle, which Carroll said is such a great food city," it's less about finding a good spot and more about choosing which one to go to.

Carroll met up with Sundin and a group of former teammates on Thursday night. They ended up getting takeout from Wild Ginger and eating it at Gas Works Park.

It's been almost seven years since Carroll graduated from Lakeside, but it's a small group of his teammates from high school that remain his closest friends. Sundin, who said his relationship with Carroll has evolved from coach to friend in recent years, explained those friendships are important parts of Carroll's Seattle roots.

"He's a Seattle guy," Sundin said. "He cares a lot about people that are from here. It's where he grew up and he's always going to stay connected to those people."

On Friday night, a contingent of about 50 people made up of friends and family cheered for Carroll from behind the Diamondbacks' dugout. He had two hits in his six at-bats in the series opener that the Mariners won 7-6 in extra innings.

"He'll tell everyone it's another weekend and that these are important D-backs games," Sundin said before Friday's game. "He'll say that they've won nine of their last ten and he's looking forward to keeping that going, but these ones mean a lot to him because Seattle means a lot to him.

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