The 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior right-handed pitcher and outfielder had led the Blaze to a 14-5 record at the time of his selection. Carlson owned a 3-1 record with a 0.41 ERA on the mound through 19 games, along with posting a .532 batting average including four home runs and 16 RBI. A First Team All-State honoree, he is also a Rawlings/Perfect Game First Team All-American and was selected to USA TODAY's American Family Insurance ALL-USA Minnesota First Team.
Carlson has maintained a 3.61 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at the University of Florida this fall, but is projected as an early round selection in June's Major League Baseball draft.
Carlson has volunteered locally on behalf of Feed My Starving Children, youth baseball clinics and Never Ever Give Up, which assists children stricken with cancer. "Not only is Carlson a great pitcher, but I've been very impressed with his batting as well," said Chris Swansson, head coach at Rosemount High. "He's a hard worker and a good kid, and he's been impressive every time we've faced him."
