PHOENIX -- The upcoming All-Star Game’s Arizona light is shining brightest on Ketel Marte, who leads all NL second baseman in voting as the eighth-year D-back enjoys a sizzling first half.

A year ago, Corbin Carroll was in the spotlight. The eventual NL Rookie of the Year earned his way into the All-Star starting lineup last summer, with the game poetically taking place in his hometown of Seattle. His rookie buzz continued into Arizona’s second World Series appearance.

This time around, the story is different.

Carroll opened the 2024 season with his batting average hovering just below or just above the .200 mark over April and May. He was batting as low as eighth in the order in May and as recently as June 8, his average was stuck at .199.

All-Star excitement may not surround his locker this summer, but Carroll, more importantly, has answered his first big league adversity before the season hits the halfway point.

Carroll is batting .294 over his past 15 games, drawing eight walks. He has reached base safely in 11 straight home games, during which time he has a .383 OBP with three doubles, two triples and three RBIs.

“I just feel like I’m getting myself in a better position. A little more confidence up there,” Carroll said Wednesday, a day after collecting two hits against the Twins. “At the beginning of the year, I was feeling pretty off and now it’s starting to feel like I’m getting more confidence.”

As the 23-year-old has found his stroke again, the D-backs are feeding off his June energy burst.

Exactly one month ago the D-backs were in second-to-last place in the NL West. They’ve since passed the Giants as they claw their way back up the standings, and the D-backs’ 14 wins in June are tied for most in the Majors (Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers, Mets).

Arizona skipper Torey Lovullo traces Corbin’s rebound to early this month when he heard that familiar loud contact off the barrel of his center fielder’s bat.

“You talk about mental toughness, you talk about grit, determination, it’s all him,” Lovullo said. “That’s who he is. He walked through a pretty tough time.”

It’s more than stats, though. Lovullo recognizes something different in Carroll as June winds down.

“He’s come out of his shell a little bit. A little bit more talkative,” Lovullo said. “When you’re going through that you internalize everything. You take it personally. You feel like you’re letting people down.”

And Carroll has more than settled back into that familiar leadoff spot.

“It’s great when you’re able to get on base and use the wheels to maybe get on two,” Carroll said. “There’s some responsibility there in starting the game off on the right foot and putting together a good AB.”