Sodo Mojo’s Top 40 Seattle Mariners Prospects: 15-11

When Sam Carlson was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft, it was perhaps the most applauded move of the young Jerry Dipoto regime. Carlson was a Top 20 talent of the draft, with legitimate #2 upside and a high probability of success.

But Carlson’s path to the majors got derailed early after undergoing Tommy John Surgery after 4 pro innings. The injury and the ensuing rehab cost the young Carlson two full seasons of growth.

But Carlson is now healthy and figures to restart his path to the big leagues in 2020. Coming out of high school, Carlson had 3 MLB quality offerings, including a 93 MPH fastball with life that touched 97, a good breaking ball, and a plus changeup throw with great arm action and fade.

Carlson is a great athlete. So much so, that had he not signed with the Mariners, he was headed to be a pitcher and outfielder at the University of Florida. Carlson looks the part of a big leaguer and spent the last two seasons rehabbing from the surgery and putting in serious time in the gym.

Carlson has the work ethic, stuff, size, baseball IQ, and athleticism to be a #2 starter down the line. Seattle will need to be patient as Carlson works himself back, but the reward is well worth the wait.