The Reds selected Carroll in the sixth round of the June 1970 Major League Baseball draft out of North Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at age 17.

He began the 1975 season with the AAA Indianapolis Indians, and was called to the majors when Reds starter Don Gullett fractured his left thumb.

[5] Immediately starting upon his arrival, he won his first two games, beating Houston 4-3 and then threw 8 shutout innings against Atlanta, giving up three hits.

[8] Carroll earned bachelor’s and master's degrees from Georgetown University and retired in 2024 after 30 years in various technical and management roles from The MITRE Corporation.

[9][10] From 2012 to 2024, he served as an adjunct professor in Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service where he taught courses on international security.