Sam

Carlson

Carlson represents the latest lottery ticket addition for the Astros as they throw metaphorical darts at their bullpen depth chart. The 27-year-old former starter has yet to reach the big leagues after the Mariners made his a second-round selection in the 2017 MLB Draft. The 27-year-old posted a serviceable 4.44 FIP and 78/36 K/BB ratio across 59 2/3 innings over 45 appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers’ system this past season. He’s likely to wind up at Triple-A Sugar Land at the conclusion of spring training.

The 23-year-old backstop doesn’t have much left to prove in the minor leagues, but with Will Smit and Austin Barnes holding things down at the game’s highest level, he’ll need to work his way into the crowded outfield mix in order to have any shot of breaking camp. He’ll be an intriguing option for fantasy purposes when he does finally arrive in Los Angeles, but it’ll probably take an injury to Smith or Barnes for it to happen. Roki Sasaki and Zyhir Hope also received official invitations to spring training on Friday.

Carlson, 26, spent the 2024 season in the Brewers’ organization where he compiled a 4.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 51/19 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings in 44 appearances out of the bullpen. He’ll add minor league bullpen depth for the defending World Champions.

Quero is one of the Brewers’ top prospects. In 2023, he hit .262/.339/.441 with 16 homers and five stolen bases across 381 plate appearances with Double-A Biloxi. He is considered one of the better catching prospects in the minor leagues and could up making his major league debut sometime during the 2024 season.

Carlson, who made the announcement himself on social media, was a second-round pick of the Mariners back in 2017 and has yet to reach the majors. The 24-year-old righty converted to relief full-time this past season, posting a lackluster 5.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 61/20 K/BB ratio across 48 innings (39 appearances) for High-A Everett.

This might be one of the steals of the draft. Carlson not only have projection left in his frame, he also has two above-average pitches in his slider and change. On top of that, he throws them for strikes. This could have easily been a top 20 pick. To get him with pick 55 is just tremendous value.

It looked like the Mariners got a steal when Carlson slipped to the second round last year, but he made just two appearances in the Arizona rookie league before going down with a sore elbow. The issue persisted this spring, so he’s yet to pitch in a game. Now he’ll likely be sidelined until the start of the 2020 season. Carlson doesn’t turn 20 until December, so he’s still very young, but he’s losing some important development time.