Sam Carlson

For the skier, see Sammy Carlson.

Samuel Carlson (born December 3, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Sam Carlson
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pitcher
Born: (1998-12-03) December 3, 1998 (age 26) Savage, Minnesota, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right

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]