Back in 2017 the Seattle Mariners drafted Sam Carlson in the second round. He was an over-slot selection out of high school, getting over $1.2 million for a draft bonus. MLB Pipeline had him ranked as the 15th best prospect in that draft class. Unfortunately, it has been a difficult road for the former 55th overall pick.
Carlson made his debut in 2017 and pitched just three innings before needing to have Tommy John surgery. After recovering from elbow surgery and missing a season due to the pandemic Carlson made his return to a professional mound in 2021. After struggling as a starting pitcher for two seasons in Modesto, he has been in the Everett AquaSox bullpen this year.
The year started off rough for the Minnesota right-hander. Through his first 19.2 innings he had allowed 21 runs, giving him a 9.61 ERA. He walked 16 of 100 batters but also struck out 18. However since June 15th Carlson has appeared to have found something.
Sam Carlson closes it out! pic.twitter.com/2jr5T0tIAa
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) July 21, 2023
In the same sample size, 19.2 innings since June 15th, Carlson has allowed just three earned runs, good for a 1.37 ERA and has picked up three saves. He also has struck out 29 batters and walked just three. He is striking out over 42% of batters since June 15th, a significant increase from his first half of the season. It is tough to know if Carlson can keep this up, but this bullpen role might continue working for the former top prospect.
Modesto Nuts (A) – California League
| RANK | PLAYER | POS | STATS |
| 4 | Michael Arroyo | SS | .274/.395/.441, 3 HR, 11.7% BB, 18% K |
| 11 | Lazaro Montes | OF | .302/.454/.604, 10 HR, 20% BB, 24.4% K |
| 18 | Michael Morales | RHP | 19 GS, 95.1 IP, 4.44 ERA, 24.6% K, 9.5% BB |
| 28 | Milkar Perez | 3B | .271/.381/.366, 1 HR, 13.4% BB, 24.7% K |
| 35 | Tyler Gough | RHP | 9 G, 8 GS, 28 IP, 6.11 ERA, 17.7% K, 11.3% BB |
| 36 | Ben Williamson | 3B | .268/.318/.415, 4.5% BB, 27.3% K |
Everett AquaSox (A+) — Northwest League
| RANK | PLAYER | POS | STATS |
| 1 | Cole Young | SS | .274/.398/.458, 10 HR, 14.6% BB, 14.6% K |
| 2 | Harry Ford | C | .249/.407/.417, 13 HR, 18.3% BB, 18.9% K |
| 5 | Gabriel Gonzalez | OF | .311/.369/.505, 16 HR 6.3% BB, 16% K |
| 10 | Tyler Locklear | 1B | .304/.421/.548, 12 HR, 13.3% BB, 22% K |
| 24 | Axel Sanchez | SS | .199/.285/.353, 7 HR, 8.5% BB, 29.2% K |
| 30 | Hogan Windish | 2B | .254/.362/.450, 14 HR, 12.5% BB, 33% K |
Arkansas Travelers (AA) – Texas League
| RANK | PLAYER | POS | STATS |
| 13 | Jonatan Clase | OF | .246/.357/.462, 17 HR, 13.8% BB, 27.5% K |
| 15 | Prelander Berroa | RHP | 34 G, 5 GS, 52.2 IP, 3.25 ERA, 36.7% K, 15.4% BB |
| 27 | Alberto Rodriguez | OF | .296/.377/.532, 12 HR, 9.5% BB, 23.3% K |
| 32 | Robert Perez Jr. | 1B | .249/.333/.440, 14 HR, 7.8% BB, 28.8% K |
| 38 | Ty Adcock | RHP | 19 G, 20.2 IP, 1.74 ERA, 29.3% K, 6.7% BB |
| 40 | Travis Kuhn | RHP | 36 G, 40 IP, 2.70 ERA, 20% K, 11.2% BB |
| 44 | Jorge Benitez | LHP | 36 G, 52.2 IP, 2.22 ERA, 27.3% K, 15.6% BB |
Tacoma Rainiers (AAA) – Pacific Coast League
| RANK | PLAYER | POS | STATS |
| 9 | Ryan Bliss | 2B | .318/.378/.528, 14 HR, 7.1% BB, 20.5% K |
| 22 | Zach DeLoach | OF | .293/.398/.487, 18 HR, 13.6% BB, 28.3% K |
| 26 | Juan Then | RHP | 24 G, 28 IP, 9.96 ERA, 16.9% K, 11.5% BB |
| 29 | Eduard Bazardo | RHP | 31 G, 43.1 IP, 3.12 ERA, 30% K, 6.7% BB |
Tai Peete Makes Pro Debut
Tai Peete, Mariners 30th overall draft pick, has gotten in some games recently to make his professional debut. He is playing in the Arizona Complex League and has played in seven games now.
The 18-year-old has eight hits in his first 29 at bats. He has walked three times and struck out eight times and has driven in two runs and stolen two bases.
Coming in as Jason Churchill’s 8th ranked Mariners prospect, he has high praise from Churchill, “Peete may already be the best athlete in the system and offers a chance at three plus tools – throw, run, and power.” The youngster has a lot of pro ball in front of him, but he is certainly one gifted young player.
Here’s first round pick Tai Peete pic.twitter.com/t78AN1qcwE
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) July 18, 2023
Mariners Prospects In the News
MLB Pipeline ranked all 30 organizations farm systems, see where Seattle’s ranks.
The Mariners called up catcher Brian O’Keefe to replace Tom Murphy who went on the Injured List with a thumb injury.
Who might be the Mariners number one prospect in 2025? MLB Pipeline predicts each organization’s top prospect two years from now.
Curtis Christianson
Curtis Christianson is the Athletic Director at Concordia Christian Academy. He also works in the Tacoma Rainiers clubhouse during the baseball season.
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