Bats/Throws: L/L

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 220 lbs

Acquired: 14th Rd ‘07

Born: 1/23/89 (Hattiesburg, MS)

Why Ranked Here: Carson shares many of the attributes of pitchers ranked below him on this list: really good size and a good fastball with average or better MLB velocity, sitting in the low 90s, from the left side. Carson differentiates himself in part from those below him was the development of his slider, a pitch that became an effective weapon for him in 2008. The trouble that hitters had driving the ball against Carson is reflected in the fact that he allowed just one homer in over 50 innings of work in 2008.  Moreover, he’s already filled out to some degree, and that’s not a bad thing.

2008: Carson missed almost all of 2007 after getting hit on the head by a baseball, but the high school draftee made up for lost time with a strong ’08. He announced that he was done with the GCL in early July when he allowed a combined, two hits, no walks, no runs and fanned 16 over back-to-back six inning performances. Promoted to the Appalachian League, Carson’s walk rate moved up, and his strikeout rate dropped, but he induced nearly three times as many ground balls as fly balls.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Carson is years away from the big leagues, so his ceiling and his role are still flexible.

On the Flipside: Check with Dr. Pangloss and add in the standard caveat that all young pitchers must avoid the injury bug.

Projected 2009 Start: Savannah if all goes well in spring training.