The Seattle Mariners selected right-handed pitcher Sam Carlson out of Burnsville (Minn.) High School with their second selection (55th overall pick) in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, Director of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter announced tonight.
During his senior season at Burnsville, Carlson had a 0.53 ERA (2 ER, 34.0 IP) with 16 walks and 53 strikeouts this season, going 3-1. 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.
He also competed at the 2016 WWBA World Championship.
Carlson was the Gatorate 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 4th-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.
Earlier in the MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Mariners selected infielder Evan White out of the University of Kentucky with the 17th overall pick in the draft. The 2017 Draft continues tomorrow with rounds 3-10 (starts at 10:00 a.m. PT) and rounds 11-40 on Wednesday (starts at 9:00 a.m. PT).