Dylan James Carlson Bio
Dylan James Carlson is an American professional baseball outfielder who has played in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs. Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft with the 33rd overall pick, Carlson became one of the top prospects in baseball before making his MLB debut in 2020. He became the Cardinals’ starting right fielder in 2021 and was a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year Award that season.
Early Life and Background
Dylan James Carlson was born on October 23, 1998. He attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, where he played baseball under his father, Jeff Carlson. Carlson began playing on the varsity team as a 14-year-old freshman, showing exceptional talent at a young age. His high school teammates included Nick Madrigal, Rowdy Tellez, Dom Núñez, and Derek Hill.
During his senior season at Elk Grove High School, Carlson posted impressive numbers, batting .407 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs in 36 games. He also pitched that year, recording a 6-0 record with a 1.44 earned run average. Despite receiving interest from multiple colleges, Carlson ultimately decided to pursue professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Although Carlson was not ranked among the Top 200 prospects for the 2016 MLB draft by MLB.com, the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the first round with the 33rd overall pick. He rescinded his college commitment to California State University, Fullerton to sign with the Cardinals. Carlson agreed to a signing bonus of $1.35 million, which was $550,500 under the slot value for his draft position.
Carlson made his professional debut that same year with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals, where he batted .251 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 50 games. He spent the 2017 season with the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League, slashing .240/.342/.347 with seven home runs and 42 RBIs in 115 games.
Dylan James Carlson Career
Minor League Development (2016–2019)
In 2018, Carlson began the season with Peoria and was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals after batting .234 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 13 games. With Palm Beach, he finished the year slashing .247/.345/.386 with nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 99 games.
Carlson opened the 2019 season with the Springfield Cardinals, where he was named a Texas League All-Star and participated in the Home Run Derby. In July, he represented the Cardinals in the All-Star Futures Game alongside Nolan Gorman. After slashing .281/.364/.518 with 21 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases over 108 games with Springfield, he was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds in August. Following his promotion, Carlson was named the Texas League Player of the Year. He played in 18 games with Memphis, batting .361 with five home runs and nine RBIs.
St. Louis Cardinals (2020–2024)
The Cardinals promoted Carlson to the major leagues on August 15, 2020, and he made his MLB debut that day against the Chicago White Sox. On August 23, he hit his first career home run. Carlson finished the 2020 season slashing .200/.252/.364 with three home runs and 16 RBIs over 35 games.
Carlson returned in 2021 as St. Louis’ starting center fielder, taking over for the injured Harrison Bader. When Bader returned from the injured list, Carlson moved to right field. On April 7, 2021, he hit his first career grand slam against Zach Pop of the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. Carlson finished the 2021 season with 542 at-bats over 149 games, slashing .266/.343/.437 with 18 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 31 doubles. He was a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, alongside Jonathan India and Trevor Rogers.
In 2022, Carlson opened the season as the club’s starting right fielder. In late May, he was placed on the injured list with a hamstring injury and activated in early June. On July 2, 2022, Carlson hit the final of a record-tying four consecutive home runs by Cardinals teammates, as Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez, and Carlson all homered off Kyle Gibson of the Philadelphia Phillies with two outs in the first inning. It was the first time the Cardinals accomplished the feat and the first time it occurred in the first inning in major league history. Over 128 games, Carlson slashed .236/.316/.380 with eight home runs, 42 RBIs, and 30 doubles.
In 2023, Carlson played in 76 games for St. Louis, batting .219/.318/.333 with five home runs and 27 RBIs. On August 12, he was placed on the injured list with a left oblique strain and left ankle injury. On September 13, manager Oliver Marmol announced that Carlson would undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle.
Carlson led the team in Spring Training with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 2024 before a collision with right fielder Jordan Walker on March 25 resulted in an injury to his left shoulder. An MRI exam revealed damage to his left shoulder, putting him on the injured list. In 59 games for the Cardinals that season, he batted .198/.275/.240 with no home runs and 11 RBIs.
Tampa Bay Rays (2024)
On July 30, 2024, the Cardinals traded Carlson to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Shawn Armstrong. In 37 games for Tampa Bay, he slashed .219/.299/.316 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, and two stolen bases. On November 22, the Rays non-tendered Carlson, making him a free agent.
Baltimore Orioles (2025)
On January 27, 2025, Carlson signed a one-year, $975,000 contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to begin the season. The Orioles called him up on March 31 following an injury to Colton Cowser, and again on April 26 when former Cardinals teammate Tyler O’Neill went on the injured list. Carlson made 83 total appearances for the Orioles during the regular season, batting .203/.278/.336 with six home runs, 20 RBIs, and three stolen bases. On November 6, Carlson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Norfolk. He became a free agent the same day.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlson is known as a versatile outfielder with the ability to play all three outfield positions, though he has primarily manned right field and center field at the major league level. His offensive game features gap-to-gap power and solid plate discipline. His arm strength and defensive instincts have made him a reliable option in the outfield throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Carlson’s most notable milestone came in 2021 when he finished as a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year. His first career grand slam on April 7, 2021, against the Miami Marlins showcased his ability to deliver in clutch situations. The four consecutive home runs by Cardinals teammates on July 2, 2022, with Carlson hitting the final one, marked a historic moment in franchise and league history.
Dylan James Carlson Career Statistics
Through April 6, 2026, Carlson has appeared in 467 major league games across his career with the Cardinals, Rays, and Orioles. His career statistics include a batting average of .233 with 43 home runs and 195 RBIs.
Major League Highlights
Carlson’s standout season came in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he posted a .266 batting average with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs while finishing as a finalist for NL Rookie of the Year. His 2022 campaign featured the historic four-homer sequence by Cardinals hitters and 30 doubles. The 2024 trade to Tampa Bay and subsequent 2025 season with Baltimore represented new chapters in his major league career.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to his MLB debut, Carlson built an impressive minor league resume. His 2019 season with Springfield and Memphis was particularly notable, as he combined to slash .292/.372/.542 with 26 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. His recognition as Texas League Player of the Year highlighted his status as one of baseball’s top prospects entering 2020.
| Competition Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball (Career) | 467 | .233 | 43 | 195 |
Dylan James Carlson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carson’s family has deep roots in baseball. His father, Jeff Carlson, coached Dylan and his teammates during high school. His mother, Caryn, is a breast cancer survivor. Carlson’s younger brother, Tanner, played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns and later the Long Beach State Dirtbags, continuing the family’s baseball tradition.
Personal Life
Despite growing up in California, Carlson was a fan of the New York Yankees, becoming a fan of the team at age 10. His favorite player was Derek Jeter, the longtime Yankees shortstop and captain.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season with the Baltimore Orioles represented an opportunity for Carlson to establish himself with a new organization. After beginning the year at Triple-A Norfolk, he received two call-ups during the season due to injuries to outfielders. Carlson made 83 total appearances for the Orioles, batting .203 with six home runs and 20 RBIs. The season was marked by inconsistency at the plate, though he showed flashes of his potential with timely hitting. On November 6, Carlson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Norfolk, becoming a free agent shortly after. The 2025 campaign highlighted the challenges Carlson faced in regaining his 2021 form after multiple injury setbacks in previous seasons.