SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners Director of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Sam Carlson out of Burnsville (Minn.) High School. He was the club's second selection (55th overall pick) in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft. He was signed by Ben Collman, the Mariners Upper Midwest Area Supervisor.
Carlson was the 2017 Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota. During his senior season at Burnsville, Carlson had a 0.54 ERA (3 ER, 39.0 IP) with 7 walks and 51 strikeouts, going 5-0. In the section playoffs, Carlson was 1-0 in 3 games, picking up 1 save. He had a 0.64 ERA (1 ER, 11.0 IP) during those playoffs, striking out 15 while walking none. He did not allow a home run all year and picked up a complete game shutout on May 8, striking out 10 in 7 innings.
Carlson was the Gatorade Player of the Year for Minnesota in 2017 and was named to the Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Association's All-Section and All-State teams in 2016, leading Burnsville to a 4^th-place finish in the state. He was also named to the All-Metro team by the Star Tribune. He was a part of the 2017 Play Ball Minnesota All-Star Series after being named the South Suburban Conference Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. It was his third consecutive year being named to the South Suburban All-Conference team.