The 2025 MLB Draft will take place in July 2025. Andersen Pickard shares his analysis of Billy Carlson, a prep shortstop from Corona High School in California.
Make sure to check out the rest of Andersen Pickard’s MLB Draft Profiles.
Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (CA)
| Player | Pos | School | Grade |
| Billy Carlson | SS | Corona (CA) | 55 |
| Age | Height | Weight | Bats | Throws |
| 18 | 6-1 | 180 | R | R |
Scouting Grades for Billy Carlson
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
| 50 | 45 | 65 | 70 | 60 |
Scouting Report
Carlson is an elite prep prospect with perhaps the best defensive skills among all draft-eligible shortstops. He is a product of Corona High School in California, which routinely pumps out MLB Draft prospects, including potential 2025 No. 1 pick Seth Hernandez. Carlson’s dominance on the high school and showcase circuits has prepared him to be an early first-round pick, and he’ll presumably turn pro as he bypasses his commitment to Tennessee.
At the plate, Carlson is a pull-heavy hitter. He peppers left field with pitches on the middle or inner parts of the zone. His lofty launch angle has led to more line drives than deep flies, and he’ll occasionally get too far under the baseball and pop the ball up. Although power isn’t Carlson’s calling card, there’s certainly still room for him to tap into more power as he grows and develops. The supervision of an MLB club’s development staff could help him tap into more raw power, and he has growth potential with his 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. He can go up the middle with outside pitches, and he knows how to spoil inside pitches to extend at-bats.
Carlson is a trustworthy defender with perhaps the best glove among all draft-eligible shortstops. He pairs his elite glove work with an equally impressive arm. Carlson can whip the baseball across the diamond with speed and accuracy, largely thanks to his experience as a pitcher. He has touched 97 mph on the mound before, and while he does have two-way potential, he’ll likely be drafted solely as a shortstop due to how well he plays the position.
Additionally, Carlson possesses outstanding defensive instincts at shortstop. He plays with intelligence and awareness; he knows when he needs to make a throw in one motion, when he needs to turn up the velocity to get the ball across the infield quicker, and when he can take an extra second and set his feet. Even when pressed for time by a slow roller or fast runner, he shows poise and comfort at the shortstop position, never looking truly rushed.
Between his unparalleled defensive ability and upside at the plate, Carlson has the makings of a top-10 pick in this summer’s MLB Draft. Some clubs may pass on a 50-grade hit tool at age 19, but after the first handful of picks are made, Carlson will be a highly coveted prospect.
Main Image Credit: John McCoy/MaxPreps
