Nothing is guaranteed in sports, and the Arizona Diamondbacks — which reached the World Series in 2023 — have realized that reality in 2024. The defending NL Champs are just 24-26 to begin the year in the tough NL West as they build off last season's playoff success.

One player who has embodied these early struggles is Corbin Carroll, the franchises's star outfielder who has been unable to build on a phenomenal rookie season. Along with Carroll, here are three Diamondbacks players fans are already fed up with in the 2024 season.

Corbin Carroll

A 2023 All-Star and the unanimous 2023 NL Rookie of the Year, the speedy Corbin Carroll has hardly looked like the player who terrorized opposing teams last year. The youngster is batting just .191 through 48 games with an OPS of .557. Carroll, who had 65 extra-base hits a season ago, has 10 extra-base knocks in 211 plate appearances. This decrease coincides with a decline in solid contact. Carroll is currently in the 21st percentile in hard-hit rate and the 17th percentile in average exit velocity after finishing slightly above average in both categories a year ago.

The one positive for the 23-year-old Diamondbacks outfielder has especially struggled against fastballs, hitting just .132 against four-seamers this year with a .221 slugging percentage. Add in an on-base percentage of .275, and the speedy Carroll has also been unable to provide much production on the basepaths either. Whether it is just a sophomore slump or a sign of larger issues, Diamondbacks fans are losing patience with their talented outfielder.

Kevin Ginkel

Kevin Ginkel was a key member of the Arizona bullpen last year, settling into the eighth-inning role down the stretch for the D-Backs. The right-hander finished with a 2.48 ERA while pitching in 6o games and racking up nine victories for the NL champs. This year, Ginkel has filled in at closer with Paul Sewald — the usual ninth-inning man — beginning the season on the injured list.

Ginkel failed to impress in his new role, converting just 5-9 save opportunities while allowing earned runs in four of his eight appearances thus far in May. With an expected ERA and FIP each below 4.00, Ginkel is slated for improvement. But the recent return of Paul Sewald has illuminated the gap between the two relievers this season.

Scott McGough

After becoming a strength for the team late last year, the Diamondbacks' bullpen has taken a step back in 2024. Arizona ranks 23rd in Major League Baseball with an ERA of 4.44 from its relievers while the team has converted just 48% of its save opportunities — third-worst in the Majors.

One bullpen arm who has struggled is veteran Scott McGough. The 34-year-old has taken an interesting path to the majors. McGough pitched 6.2 innings for the Marlins in 2015 before returning to the minors. He spent 2019-2022 playing in Japan, where he was a lockdown closer for the Yakult Swallows.

His return to the Majors has produced mixed results. McGough had a 4.73 ERA last year and was 9-14 in save opportunities, giving him a WAR of 0.0. This season, his ERA has ballooned to 6.75 through 16 innings as the veteran is 0-2 in save chances to go with three losses. His last appearance — two earned runs in one inning pitched on May 4 — earned McGough a demotion to the minors. While he is a solid pitcher, McGough must turn things around in Triple-A if he wants to return to the Major Leagues.