Article: Part 2: Q&A With Sam Carlson

[Seth Stohs]

Earlier this week, we posted Part 1 of a Q&A with Burnsville High School's Sam Carlson. The right-handed pitcher and outfielder is believed to be a mid-to-late first round pick on June 12.

 

The questions in Part 2 of the Q&A are different than part 1, so continue reading to learn more about the hard-throwing right-hander. His team's playoffs start on Thursday, so we can watch them through their playoff run.Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Burnsville, did you get to a lot of Twins games? Who have been some of your favorite players to watch?

 

 

Sam Carlson (SC): Yes. Growing up I loved watching the Twins. When I was in elementary school, I was obsessed with Joe Mauer. My parents brought me to a clinic one time where I had the chance to hit with him using his "Joe Mauer Quick swing" machine. He was my role model growing up.

 

SS: How has the 2017 Burnsville season been? What is the outlook for your team as you head into the playoffs?

 

 

SC: - Our season has been a lot of fun. This is an end to a time where I get to play baseball with my closest friends who I have grown up playing with. Coming into the playoffs we have high hopes, just like any year. We have a really good shot at making a run and bringing home a championship. We just have to be ourselves and play our game like we have been.

 

SS: How has your season been gone personally, both on the mound, in the field and with the bat?

 

 

SC: Personally, I felt like I have performed pretty well. In the end, none of my personal goals mean anything unless they are helping the team win games. I believe that I have helped aid our team both on the mound with consistent pitching and at the plate with some flare, leading us to a lot of fun victories.

 

 

SS: How many summers have you spent playing in national circuit tournaments such as Perfect Game? Is it something you recommend for other talented players in high school?

 

 

 

SC: The summer circuit is a blast. This past summer, playing at TOS, Atlanta WWBA, Area Code and having an opportunity to play for a spot on Team USA was a blast. I would totally recommend this to all players because you only get one shot to live up these opportunities.

SS: Have you played with or against some of the other top high school talent in the 2017 draft, like Hunter Green, Royce Lewis, MacKenzie Gore or Shane Baz?

 

 

SC: I played with Shane Baz and against Royce Lewis and Hunter Greene at the USA Baseball 40 man trials. They are all extremely great young talents that I enjoyed playing with and against.

 

SS: At what point did you start to see scouts in the stands, and for those of us who haven’t experienced that, what goes through your mind, or how do you put that out of mind?

 

 

SC: Over time you get used to the scouts being there. It is pretty cool for the first couple of times during the summer circuit but you get used to it. It's a special feeling knowing they are there to see you perform after all of the hard work you have put in behind the scenes.

 

SS: When you’re pitching well, what pitches do you throw and what is the key to your success? What would you call your out-pitch?

 

 

SC: I am extremely comfortable with all of my pitches to the point where depending on the batter, any one of them can be an out-pitch.

 

SS: What was it about Florida that made you commit to the SEC powerhouse? I assume that you had plenty of good options.

 

 

SC: Being on campus at Florida was something that I fell in love with. The great baseball program, the academics and weather were very intriguing to me. I grew up a Gators fan for one reason or another and after seeing Logan Shore go there. it felt like it was meant to be.

 

SS: Do you read draft profiles and player rankings to see where your name is? And, how does it feel to be called things like “the best draft prospect from Minnesota since Joe Mauer?”

 

 

SC: Sometimes I come upon things, but I do not worry about them at all. I just try to perform and compete every time I step on the field. It is an honor to have that said about me, but I have a long road ahead. I still have a lot to prove.

 

SS: How have you been able to be a “regular high school kid” (homework, prom, etc.)?

 

 

SC: Yes I have. My last year of high school has been really fun. I had a great time with all of my friends at Prom this year. I also have really enjoyed all of the time with my friends and family.

 

SS: Do you participate in other sports or school activities throughout the year?

 

 

SC: I do not play in any sports since I have been focused on training for baseball year round.

 

SS: As the draft approaches, how do you balance the idea of going to a top college baseball program versus signing a professional baseball contract?

 

 

SC: I try not to worry about it. When the time comes, I will know what I am doing and be very happy about my decision.

 

SS: Who are some of the people in your life who have helped you get to where you are today as a player and person?

 

SC: I want to credit Ty McDevitt, Alec Crawford, Adam Barta, Joe Loftus, Justin Gominsky, Brent Peters and Eddie Gerald for being some of the most influential coaches in my life. My parents and community have helped shape me into the person I am today and I am very thankful to have all of their support for the past couple of years.

 

We would like to thank Sam Carlson for taking time out of his schedule. Burnsville's playoff run starts on Thursday. The draft is coming up. He's a busy young man, but in less than a month, he will have a big decision, though a decision without a downside. Best wishes to Sam Carlson in the playoffs, in the draft and going forward.

 

Click here to view the article

[Loosey]

My Alma Mater. Good luck Sam.

[Hrbowski]

Loved the Justin Gominsky shout-out! I don't think teams will have to worry about makeup issues with Carlson. Greene gets a ton of credit for being a good, helpful person, but having interacted with Sam over a period of time and talking with people he has played with has given me some insight into what kind of person he is, and I think that he deserves every bit of credit for it.

[twinsfanstreif]

Sam is pretty much out of the question at #35 as he will probably go higher, right?

[Seth Stohs]

Q&A with Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish:

 

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2017/6/8/15761176/2017-mlb-draft-sam-carlson-interview

 

 

Ron Haggstrom of the Star Tribune wrote an article on Carlson. If he's taken in the 1st round, he'll become the first Minnesota pitcher taken in the 1st round.

 

http://www.startribune.com/burnsville-s-sam-carlson-poised-to-make-mlb-draft-history/427130851/

 

 

Carlson pitched the final three innings of Burnsville's win last night (his brother Max, a freshman, started again) to send the team to the state tournament.