DENVER — For much of this season, Corbin Carroll batted near the top of the Diamondbacks' lineup. But Carroll hasn't hit as well as in previous seasons, and he finds himself batting seventh on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Coors Field against the Rockies, as has been the case for the past several days.
Carroll's numbers aren't so far off from previous seasons, but his batting average was at .240 going into Thursday. He's one more triple away from a season high, and he's played in more games than last season with three more to go after Thursday.
A two-run triple on Sept. 23 showed manager Torey Lovullo that Carroll can still impact games with his ability.
"He's seeing the baseball, and he's making a little bit more solid contact," Lovullo said.
Lovullo
might have expected Carroll to get upset about being moved down, but Carroll has taken everything in stride, his manager said. The two had a conversation when Carroll was dropped to fifth in the order, but none since Carroll was moved to seventh.
"He's a great teammate, and he really just wants to play and help this team win," Lovullo said. "He probably doesn't want an explanation. He's the type of guy that just wants to go out and help his team win games."
Moreno chasing NL batting title
Gabriel Moreno is neck and neck with the Phillies' Luis Arraez for the National League batting title, with Arraez entering Thursday with a .312 batting average and Moreno at .310.
Moreno’s 143 hits are the most by a Diamondbacks' catcher in a season (minimum 100 games played at catcher). Entering Thursday, he has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games at a .385 clip and 1.084 OPS, with four doubles, four homers, 11 RBI and eight walks.
"It's an amazing accomplishment for Gabby. He's so much more than just the batting average to this team," Lovullo said. "It's the growth and development from behind the plate. Commanding the English language and being able to go out and have good conversations with pitchers and lead while he's back there. On top of that, he's a really good hitter. He's really solidified his approach, the OPS is over .800, and he's a guy that I'm looking for at every turn.
"I don't think he's distracted by it. I think he wants to win baseball games, and that's what stands out for me."
Moreno has mostly been the everyday catcher, but has received more at-bats as the DH because he's hit so well this season.
Diamondbacks at Rockies, 12:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (15-7, 2.89) vs. Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (1-5, 6.01)
At Coors Field: Rodriguez, in what is likely his last start of the 2026 regular season, will be asked to potentially keep the Diamondbacks' slim wild-card hopes alive, provided the team is not yet mathematically eliminated. Rodriguez, voted the Diamondbacks' Most Valuable Pitcher of 2026 by the Arizona chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, has taken three losses over his past four starts. He pitched well in two previous games against Colorado this season, allowing three earned runs in 12⅓ innings. ... Gordon has appeared in 23 games with 11 starts this season. He hasn't made it through five innings in a start since late last month. Gordon is 1-2 in three starts against Arizona in his career, with a 13.94 ERA.
Coming up
Friday, Sept. 25: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.72) vs. Padres RHP Casey Mize (6-9, 3.96).
Saturday, Sept. 26: At San Diego, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Corbin Burnes (0-0, 7.84) vs. Padres RHP Walker Buehler (9-6, 4.56).
Sunday, Sept. 27: At San Diego, 12:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (9-5, 3.31) vs. Padres TBA.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Rockies updates. Carroll bats 7th, Moreno batting title?
