Billy

Carlson

Carlson, who turned 20 in July, is still best known for his defense at shortstop right now. He hit .256/.388/.338 with no homers and 13 steals in 57 games for Low-A Kannapolis.

Carlson receives a full-slot $6.23 million signing bonus as the 10th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis. The 18-year-old prep shortstop is universally-regarded as the best defender in his draft class and has a chance to develop above-average over-the-fence pop. He’s a couple years away from reaching the majors and he’ll get plenty of time to refine his offensive game in Chicago’s system.

In a draft that is considered loaded with prep shortstops, Carlson is considered by many to be the best, and certainly the best defender. The 6-foot-1 infielder has a weapons-grade arm, outstanding athleticism, and the kind of actions you see from a shortstop who wins multiple Gold Gloves. He’s no slouch with the bat either, as there’s above-average power in his right-handed swing, and enough hard contact to suggest he’ll hit for a decent average to go with it. Carlson doesn’t offer the upside of some of the other high school bats in the class, but he has the highest perceived floor of any of those names.