White Sox select SS Billy Carlson 10th overall in 2025 MLB Draft
Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times
After being linked to prep shortstops the entire draft cycle, the Chicago White Sox stayed true to rumors and selected shortstop Billy Carlson out of Corona HS (CA.) 10th overall. Carlson is a slick fielding SS who will undoubtedly stick at the position, and has a line drive approach at the plate. He has the chance to grow into more power as he ages, which could help his game reach a new level, as it’s currently hit-over-power There is present bat speed, a cannon of an arm and has been getting quicker as he’s aged.
Across most publications, Carlson ranked inside the top 10. MLB Pipeline had him 7th overall, Baseball America and Joe Doyle of Future Stars Series slotted him 9th. FutureSox’s James Fox mocked Carlson 10th to the White Sox in his most recent mock draft, and profiled him here.
Carlson has five tool upside, especially if he can add some power to his bat. The hit tool is fringy, but that’s mainly due to Carlson hitting more ground balls than you’d like. If he can elevate the ball more, it’s a super fun profile. Defensively, Carlson has received rave reviews on his prowess, grading as a 70 across multiple outlets. He’ll stick at shortstop, barring something unexpected.
The 6-1, 185 pounder has extensive experience on the summer showcase circuit which has him firmly in the mix to be a top ten selection in the upcoming draft. MLB Pipeline notes that Carlson “impressed with athleticism and bat speed” last summer and he’s shown a line drive approach. Some scouts reportedly have hit tool concerns still but he should grow into more power.
Baseball America noted that the infielder is lean and athletic. His “actions are quick, smooth and clean with soft hands and nimble footwork as one of the best defensive shortstops in the country”. Carlson displays a quick release with a plus-plus arm as well. At the plate, the shortstop is selective in his approach with one of the lowest swing-and-miss rates in the 2025 high school class.
Carlson is on the older side of high schoolers, as he turns 19-years-old on July 29th, but he has the skills to advance quickly. He’d likely follow a similar timeline to recent second rounder Caleb Bonemer, or perhaps a year behind him, as they were drafted a year apart.
Speaking of Caleb Bonemer, this shouldn’t change much for him. Not yet, at least. He’ll still be playing shortstop until he absolutely can’t, or if he and Carlson are on the same team. If those two do spend some time on the same minor league (and hopefully major league) team, Bonemer slots into a 3B role while Carlson stays at SS.
We will have to see what money Carlson received from the White Sox at 10th overall, but all signs point to it being an under slot deal. Mike Shirley has said they’d like a “2-for-1 deal” at 10th and 44th overall, which would imply an under slot deal.
Billy Carlson was a member of the star-studded high school baseball team at Corona Senior High School. With three draft prospects on the squad including Seth Hernandez who went sixth overall to the Pittsbrgh Pirates and Brady Ebel, scouts and evaluators have been in to see the trio play all season.
Corona, California is part of a “growing inland empire” in Southern California and the public high school first established 1894 houses over 2,200 students. Famous alumni include current TCU defensive coordinator Andy Avalos, big league Tristan Beck of the San Francisco Giants and Chicago media personality Ryan Chiaverini.
Billy Carlson immediately becomes one of the best prospects in the Chicago White Sox farm system and he’ll be a top 100 prospect in baseball pretty much immediately. In six drafts as the head of amateur scouting for the White Sox, Mike Shirley has now drafted three shortstops and three left-handed pitchers in the first round.
