PHOENIX -- The 2023 All-MLB Team presented by MGM Rewards was announced on Saturday, and the D-backs had a pair of players selected to the First Team, with right-hander Zac Gallen and outfielder Corbin Carroll getting the honors.
All-MLB honors, first established in 2019, recognize the best player or players at each position across the Majors this past season with First Team and Second Team selections.
Fan voting accounted for half of the selection process, with the other 50% coming from a decorated panel of media members, broadcasters, former players and other officials throughout the game.
When casting their ballots, voters were asked to consider only performance during the regular season. Each All-MLB team includes one selection apiece at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and DH, three outfielders (regardless of specific outfield position), five starting pitchers and two relievers.
The D-backs had six players nominated for consideration: first baseman Christian Walker, second baseman Ketel Marte, right-hander Merrill Kelly and closer Paul Sewald in addition to Gallen and Carroll.
Neither selection is a surprise given the seasons Gallen and Carroll had.
Gallen, who finished third in NL Cy Young voting, posted a 17-9 record and a 3.47 ERA, and he reached career highs in innings (210), strikeouts (220) and starts (34).
The 28-year-old was at his best with runners in scoring position, leading the Majors with an opponents’ batting average in those situations of .081.
In the first half of the season, Gallen was 11-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 19 games and he was chosen for his first All-Star Game and got the start for the NL.
Carroll was a much-hyped rookie coming into the season and yet somehow found a way to exceed expectations, as he was a unanimous choice for NL Rookie of the Year.
Carroll became the first D-backs player to win the award, and as a result of him capturing that honor, Arizona was given an extra selection in the 2024 MLB Draft. That pick will be the 31st overall.
Carroll became the first rookie in MLB history to hit 25 or more homers and steal 50 or more bases. The 23-year-old stole 54 bases while hitting 25 homers.
Carroll finished the regular season with a slash line of .285/.362/.506 and a 134 OPS+ and left Arizona manager Torey Lovullo shaking his head in the dugout watching what he accomplished as just a rookie.
“I don't know how he's doing it, but I've got a front-row seat to it and I'm going to enjoy this ride,” Lovullo said. “Maybe he's spoiled me to the level where I come to expect it and it's more natural. I think he's so mentally strong that he doesn't allow himself to get outside of what he wants to do. He was nicknamed ‘The Machine’ by our farm director, Josh Barfield.
"I think that should tell you where his mindset is every single day. It is awesome to watch his process.”