SoftballThough a dream of many players, walking the path towards professional baseball is still brimming with hard work and uncertainty. Baseball Northwest (BBNW) alumni, OF Corbin Carroll ('19 Lakeside HS), offered us some insight into his journey to the MLB. When he debuted in the MLB in '22, Carroll had already made a name for himself as a minor league Player of the Year and top prospect for the D-backs. He is now a top competitor for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Baseball Northwest reached out to Carroll to ask him what advice he might have for players following in his footsteps.
BBNW: At what age did you decide you wanted to play baseball beyond high school?
Carroll: In 7th-8th grade I realized I wanted to play college ball. Junior year of high school I realized professional baseball might be a possibility. Senior year I realized I was ready.
BBNW: Describe the transition from high school into professional baseball?
Carroll: The workload is much larger and you have a greater degree of freedom. It is on you to keep baseball the main thing and not succumb to distractions away from the field.
BBNW: What was the best advice you received during your journey to professional baseball?
Carroll: Two pieces of advice: you are your best coach and you can't overtrain the body and undertrain the mind.
BBNW: What would be something you'd want a player who follows in your footsteps to know or consider?
Carroll: There is no point unless you are going to go all the way. It's the best time of your life and if you don't give it your all, I believe you will regret it for the rest of your life. If you decide this is the road you want to go down, put your nose to the grindstone and create a product that is impossible to be ignored. Be the first there and last to leave. Pay attention to the little details. Be willing to do the same thing every single day with intent and purpose, no going through the motions. Be process oriented. Discipline, process, and routine will lead to the results you want, not motivation and dreams. Your ability to filter information and have a growth mindset is crucial.
