2025 MLB Draft Profile: Billy Carlson

[Hector Rodriguez]

Corona High School has some of the most talented prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft. Could their star shortstop be the Miami Marlins' first-round selection this year? 

Corona High School has some of the most talented prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft. Could their star shortstop be the Miami Marlins' first-round selection this year? 

 

Overview

Position: SS

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 165 pounds

School: Corona HS (CA)

Commitment: Tennessee

FOF Big Board Rank: 2nd

Billy Carlson is a 6’1”, 165-pound shortstop who plays at Corona High School in Corona, California. Carlson is one of the top-ranked prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’s a primary shortstop, but could also have a future on the mound.

Carlson comes from one of the best high school baseball programs in the country. He’s teammates with other potential day one draft picks like Seth Hernandez and Brady Ebel. On Perfect Game, Carlson is the third-ranked prospect and second-ranked shortstop in the country.

At the plate, Carlson is a line-drive hitter with a patient approach. His bat-to-ball skills are some of the best in this draft class, and he possesses good power for his size. Carlson has adjusted his swing to lift the ball more often, but has a high in-zone contact rate and low chase rate. He drives the ball to all fields and will add more power as he continues to physically mature.

Defensively, Carlson is an excellent defensive shortstop with probably the best arm in this draft class. Both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America grade his defensive tools a 60 or better. He’s very smooth defensively with elite arm strength and likely plays better defense than most top college shortstops.

As mentioned before, Carlson could be considered a two-way prospect. On the mound, he has a power fastball that sits 92-95 mph and tops out at 97. Carlson also has confidence throwing his curveball and changeup for strikes. However, most organizations view him as a shortstop with five-tool potential if he’s able to add more power to his game.

 

Strengths

• Plus hit tool
• Polished hitting mechanics
• Elite defensive skills
• Low chase rate and high in-zone contact rate
• Impressive bat speed

 

Weaknesses

• Needs to fill in his frame to add more power
• Needs to prove he can continue to put the ball in the air

 

Pro Comparison: Dansby Swanson

Projection: Top 10 pick

 

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Bottom Line

A very skilled defensive shortstop who can hit for average, Billy Carlson has the potential to be one of the best overall players coming out of this draft class. The power should come once he adds 15-20 solid pounds to his frame. If the Marlins are prioritizing upside in the first round, Carlson would be an excellent get with the seventh pick.

 

More 2025 Draft Profiles

• OF Jace LaViolette
• LHP Liam Doyle
• INF Kayson Cunningham
• SS Eli Willits
• SS Marek Houston
• RHP Seth Hernandez
• 3B Xavier Neyens
• OF Brendan Summerhill

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