The Baltimore Orioles are signing former first round draft pick Dylan Carlson to a 1 year contract the club announced on Monday afternoon.
Once considered a high-upside, 5-tool prospect, Carlson made his Major League debut as a 21 year old back in 2020 with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, 2024 wasn’t kind to the switch hitting 26 year old, as he registered a -1.2 WAR across 235 at bats split between the Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.
With the exception of his 35 game sample size in 2020, Carlson registered the fewest home runs (3), RBIs (25), doubles (7), runs (19), walks (22) and batting average (.209) of his professional career. His first full season of MLB action in 2021 started off with a bang as he clubbed 18 home runs, posted a 115 OPS+ and 3.1 bWAR over 149 games. As a result, he was named a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year.
But between 2022-24, he produced a .225/.309/.341 slash line across 1,008 plate appearances as he dealt with a myriad of injuries along the way. This led to a trade from St. Louis to Tampa, and eventually a non-tendered designation from the Rays in November.
Still, with the ability to play all three outfield positions, and being a switch hitter, Carlson brings some intriguing depth to the Orioles roster ahead of Spring Training. If he’s able to remain healthy, and regain some of his early career form, then Baltimore could have themselves a low risk, high reward addition to their squad.
To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Jacob Amaya was designated for assignment on Monday.
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