2021 ROOKIE TO WATCH
Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2021 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: https://www.baseballhq.com/mlba21
Dylan Carlson, OF: Carlson, 22, has a simple approach with a narrow stance and hands low in a ready-to-launch position. He has a quick swing and a slight uppercut geared toward hitting fly balls and maximizing his above-average power and bat speed. In his MLB debut in 2020, there were times when Carlson was tentative at the plate, late on plus velocity and then had to hit from behind in the count.
That should change once he gains more experience, as he did have an above-average barrel rate and hit a bunch of line drives (36%) in 110 at-bats. His speed, average-to-above defense and ability to play all three outfield slots should make him a mainstay in the Cardinals’ lineup in 2021.