MLB Draft 2025 Scouting Report For Billy Carlson to White Sox at Pick No. 10

With the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Chicago White Sox selected shortstop Billy Carlson out of Corona High School in Corona, California.

Ahead is a closer look at what he brings to the table as he starts his pro career, along with a highlight reel and a pro comparison to provide further context for what his future might hold.

Scouting Report

Born: 7/29/2006 (18 years old)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185 lbs

Stats: 31 G, 116 PA, .365/.517/.647, 11 XBH (6 HR), 34 RBI, 9 SB

Scouts have flocked to Corona High School this spring, where one of the best teams in the nation has a trio of Day 1 draft prospects in right-hander Seth Hernandez, shortstop Billy Carlson and third baseman Brady Ebel.

Carlson was a legitimate two-way prospect as a junior, but took a big enough step forward at shortstop last summer on the showcase circuit that it became clear his future was as a position player.

He has a legitimate case for the title of best defender in the entire 2025 draft class, with a rocket arm that was up to 97 mph on the mound, elite range in both directions and the intangible instincts it takes to be a Gold Glove winner at a premium position.

He has a line-drive approach at the plate and solid bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach in the batter's box, though it remains to be seen if he will develop more than average power.

Andrelton Simmons had multiple 4-WAR seasons where he failed to produce a 100 OPS+ during his prime as one of the game's elite defensive players, and Carlson offers that type of floor with the potential to be a bona fide star if he grows into more power.

His mid-90s fastball and high-spin curveball also give him an intriguing fallback plan if things don't click as a position player for whatever reason, though it's unlikely a team will try to use him as a two-way player out of the gates.

Highlights

Pro Comparison: Brandon Crawford

Aside from a couple of outlier seasons where he slugged 20-plus home runs, Brandon Crawford was generally good for somewhere in the 10-15 homer range while providing elite defense at shortstop.

The four-time Gold Glove winner finished his career with a 96 OPS+ and 29.5 WAR over 14 seasons, starting at shortstop for a pair of World Series champions, and Carlson is more than capable of a similar career trajectory.