Dylan Carlson Bio
Dylan James Carlson is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles. Selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft, Carlson became one of the top prospects in baseball before making his MLB debut in 2020. He became the team’s starting right fielder in 2021 and was a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year. The Cardinals traded him to the Rays in 2024.
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 the guidance of his father, Jeff Carlson. During his time in high school, he was teammates with notable players such as Nick Madrigal, Rowdy Tellez, Dom Núñez, and Derek Hill. Carlson began playing on the varsity team as a 14-year-old freshman, showcasing his talent early on. As a senior, he achieved an impressive batting average of .407, hitting nine home runs and driving in 40 runs in 36 games. Additionally, he excelled as a pitcher, finishing with a 6–0 record and a 1.44 earned run average (ERA).
Path to Baseball
Despite not being considered a top prospect in the 2016 MLB draft, Carlson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 33rd overall pick. He chose to forgo his college commitment to Cal State Fullerton and signed with the Cardinals for a bonus of $1.35 million, which was below the slot value. Carlson made his professional debut in 2016 with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals, where he batted .251 with three home runs and 22 runs batted in (RBIs) over 50 games. He continued to develop through the Cardinals’ minor league system, playing for teams such as the Peoria Chiefs and the Palm Beach Cardinals, and earned recognition as a Texas League All-Star in 2019.
Dylan Carlson Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Carlson was promoted to the major leagues on August 15, 2020, making his MLB debut against the Chicago White Sox. He recorded his first career home run on August 23, 2020. In his rookie season, he played in 35 games, finishing with a batting average of .200, three home runs, and 16 RBIs. In 2021, Carlson became the starting center fielder for the Cardinals, later transitioning to right field when Harrison Bader returned from injury. He had a breakout season, finishing with 542 at-bats over 149 games, a batting average of .266, 18 home runs, and 65 RBIs. His performance earned him a nomination as a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
Breakthrough (2022-2023)
In 2022, Carlson opened the season as the starting right fielder. He faced challenges with injuries, including a hamstring issue that placed him on the injured list. Despite this, he made headlines by participating in a record-tying event where four teammates hit consecutive home runs in a single inning. Carlson finished the season with a batting average of .236, eight home runs, and 42 RBIs over 128 games. In 2023, he played in 76 games, batting .219 with five home runs and 27 RBIs. His season was cut short due to injuries, leading to season-ending surgery on his left ankle.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Dylan Carlson has established himself as a promising player in Major League Baseball. He has recorded a total of 43 home runs and 195 RBIs as of the end of the 2025 season. His notable achievements include being a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year and participating in significant team milestones, such as the record-tying four consecutive home runs.
Dylan Carlson Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Dylan Carlson has received recognition for his performances, including a nomination for the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2021.
Dylan Carlson Awards Won
As of now, there are no verified awards won by Dylan Carlson in his professional baseball career.
Dylan Carlson Family
Dylan Carlson has a younger brother named Tanner, who played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns and Long Beach State Dirtbags. Their father, Jeff, coached them during their high school years. Their mother, Caryn, is a breast cancer survivor.
Personal Life
Details about Dylan Carlson’s personal life are limited, but it is known that he has a close-knit family background, with both parents actively involved in his early baseball career.
