Sam Carlson
American baseball player (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Samuel Carlson (born December 3, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization.
| Sam Carlson | |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: December 3, 1998 Savage, Minnesota, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference |
Amateur career
Carlson attended Burnsville High School in Burnsville, Minnesota.[1] During his senior year, Carlson had a jump in velocity, going from the 88–92 miles per hour range to 93–97.[2] He posted a 0.93 ERA (9th in state and 2nd on Burnsville) and 53 strikeouts (28th in state) over 34 innings, and was named Minnesota Mr. Baseball.[3] He committed to play college baseball for the Florida Gators.[4]
Professional career
Seattle Mariners
Carlson was selected in the second round, with the 55th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft by the Seattle Mariners.[5] [6] He signed with the Mariners for $2 million.[7] He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Mariners, pitching only three innings before being shut down due to minor elbow discomfort.[8]
Heading into the 2018 season, Carlson was named Seattle's third ranked prospect and the top pitching prospect in the organization, but had elbow discomfort return during the Mariners mini-camp in February and was shut down again. He was given a platelet-rich injection and eventually started rehabbing, but a setback in his rehab forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery on July 2, causing him to miss the rest of 2018 and all of the 2019 season.[9][10] Carlson returned healthy in 2020, but did not play a game after the minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] For the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Single-A Modesto Nuts, starting 19 games with a 6–4 record, 4.77 ERA, and 112 strikeouts in 100 innings.[12]
In 2022, Carlson made 16 appearances (11 starts) for Modesto, recording a 4.61 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 56+2⁄3 innings of work.[13] He spent 2023 with the High-A Everett AquaSox, pitching in 39 games and logging a 5.25 ERA with 61 strikeouts and six saves. As a six-year minor league veteran, Carlson elected free agency on November 6.[14]
Milwaukee Brewers
On November 30, 2023, Carlson signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[15] He pitched 44 games in relief for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers in 2024, going 4–2 with a 4.25 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 48+2⁄3 innings.[16] Carlson elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.[17]
Los Angeles Dodgers
On December 13, 2024, Carlson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[18] He pitched in 45 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, posting a 4–2 record and 4.22 ERA with 78 strikeouts.[19] Carlson elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.[20]
Houston Astros
On December 27, 2025, Carlson signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.[21]