• Full name Benjamin Daniel Carlson
  • Born 10/08/1987 in Topeka, KS
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Missouri State
  • Drafted in the 6th round (185th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2009 (signed for $125,000).
    View Draft Report
    Carlson stands out for his size (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) and strength, which he has shown off by leading the Missouri Valley Conference in homers in each of the last two season. The younger brother of Tigers minor league first baseman Chris Carlson, Ben has effortless lefthanded power and the ball jumps off his bat. Though his average dropped from .379 a year ago to .301 this spring, he makes good contact for a slugger and shows patience at the plate. Carlson has spent most of his time in right field this season after playing first base as a freshman and DHing as a sophomore. He injured his elbow in summer ball in 2007 and had Tommy John surgery following the 2008 season. Though he's reasonably athletic for his size, he's a below-average runner who will move back to first base in pro ball. A team looking for a proven college slugger could pop him in the fourth or fifth round.

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone