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New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

CORONA, CALIF. - “It’s a constant grind. I’m in a constant chase to try and get better.”

If you look up any 2025 MLB Mock Draft, you are more than likely to see Billy Carlson slotted into the projected top ten players, both high school and collegiate, to be selected this upcoming summer.

For the Corona High School standout shortstop, this is exactly where he wants to be.

“The goal is to get to the big leagues and stay there. You can be off to a hot start, but you can never be too good and can always be better.”

The number six ranked player nationally is both a two time Prep Baseball All-American and Future Games standout. 

At the 2022 Future Games, Carlson was able to get a taste of what his own future would have in store for him.

Carlson at the 2022 Prep Baseball Future Games

“It was super cool," said Carlson." I’d never been to a showcase before up until that point and it was one of the best events I’ve been to in terms of getting a lot of eyes on me. I ended up doing pretty well and got a few offers from it.”

Carlson at the 2022 Prep Baseball Future Games workout

The 6’0 shortstop, who also serves as one of Corona’s bullpen pieces, is a true five-tool prospect. 

Carlson can reach up to 105 MPH off the bat, runs a 6.64 second sixty, and plays defense at an elite level.

As for getting to this point, it’s all about sticking to a consistent routine for Carlson.

“I’m always trying to get reps before the game and during practice is when I go through technique challenges," said Carlson. "When it comes to game time, it’s no thinking and just doing. It’s all about competing when it comes to the game.”

At the 2024 All-American Game, Carlson stepped up to the plate at LoanDepot Park in Miami and showed the scouts and college coaches in attendance what he had to offer.

In the sixth inning, Carlson clubbed an opposite-field jack to extend the class of 2025 lead to 3-0.

Carlson hitting a home run at the 2024 Prep Baseball All-American Game

As for the experience, Carlson lavished in the opportunities he was given.

“Those All-American games were awesome. They treated us like kings," said Carlson. "Being around all that elite talent was super great and whenever I get a chance to play against the best competition in the country I take up the opportunity.”

Billy Carlson at the 2024 Prep Baseball All-American Game

At the event, Tony Vitello, head coach of the Tennessse Volunteers, delivered a speech to all the players in attendance.

Carlson, a Vanderbilt commit at the time, decided to flip his commitment to Tennessee.

“It was super cool to hear him speak about how he [Vitello] goes about the game. Hearing the passion he coaches with was something that I wanted to be around and win a national championship with him. It definitely played a role in making the decision to switch over to Tennessee."

Carlson joins a recruitment class filled with talent from around the country, including three other players who are in the top 20 of the Prep Baseball 2025 Overall Rankings (Cameron Appenzeller, Steele Hall, and Kruz Schoolcraft).

Carlson, ranked as the third-best player in the state, is only behind two players he plays alongside currently: Seth Hernandez and Brady Ebel.

“Those are my guys. Iron sharpens irons and being around elite talent only improves your game. We hold each other accountable to a high standard and that’s what we expect day to day. Being teammates with those guys has truly been a blessing.

Hernandez, a Vanderbilt commitment and number one ranked pitcher in the country, tops 100 mph on the mound and is also projected to land in the first ten selections of the upcoming MLB Amateur Draft this July.

Carlson and Hernandez often go toe to toe, whether it be at practice or during an intrasquad.

“It’s not an easy day on a Saturday morning intrasquad when you have to face Seth. You really have to bring your A game every practice or scrimmage which makes going into games easier.”

At the hot corner, Brady Ebel, a Louisiana State commit and the number two ranked player in the state, creates a tandem with Carlson that provides lockdown defense as well as high quality at-bats at the plate.

When Carlson goes into pitch, Ebel slides over to shortstop, providing flexibility for Coach Andy Wise and his staff.

“We go about it day by day. Always getting our reps in, working hard at the position, and it’s nice to have him at Shortstop when I go into pitch.”

Carlson and the Panthers are an outstanding 19-2 this season. As for their success, Carlson credits it to the culture that Coach Wise has cultivated in addition to the talent up and down the roster.

“Wise does a great job handling us and he’s a really good leader. Every single kid on the team is willing to run through a wall for him. He’s a players coach and I think that’s the reason we play so well."

Recent alumni of the program include Josh Springer and Ethan Schiefelbein, both drafted in the 2024 June MLB Amateur draft.

Carlson often picks the brains of Springer and Schiefelbin, getting a glimpse into what the future will look like for Carlson as a professional.

“They’ve given me insight on what pro-ball is like and I’m always all ears. They talk about how important having a routine is and being able to hear about their experiences has been huge for me.”

Through the first twenty games, Carlson has a .345 batting average, tallying 20 hits, 22 runs batted in, and has cranked four home runs.

With pitchers limiting the amount of fastballs to Carlson, his approach does not change at the plate, sticking to his preparation.

“At the plate, I’m just trying to do damage and trying to hit strikes hard. Certain situations will change my approach when runners are on base, but when there’s no one on base I’m just trying to hit for the guys."

Handling the spotlight has been a learning curve for Carlson. However, relying on his support system of teammates who are going through a very similar process has been extremely helpful for the 18-year-old.

“I think having teammates around me that are going through the same thing has helped me a lot. We all keep each other in check if someone’s getting too big-headed or give confidence to one another when needed. Being able to talk about it and relate with them has been a huge benefit for me.”

With just two months to go before the 2025 MLB June Amateur draft, Carlson still has goals he wants to achieve before donning the Corona jersey for one last time.

Corona is not only poised to be a threat as repeat champions in the CIF-SS Division I, but are also in a prime position to make even more noise to take the crown for the best high school baseball team in the country by becoming back-to-back Prep Baseball National Champions.

“Wise talks a lot about it [baseball] being a team game run by individuals. We’re trying to accomplish team achievements while being our best selves. He preaches being the best version of ourselves and the team will be in a good spot.”

Down the stretch of the regular season, Carlson hopes to ride the hot streak that has been his entire high school career before entering the draft. The talent, preparation, and demeanor has Carlson poised to be a household name in years to come.

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Los Angeles Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	04/27	O'Malley Field - Sepulveda Basin, CA
Sacramento Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	04/27	McBean Park - Lincoln, CA
San Diego Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	05/04	Eastlake High School
NorCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/10	Champions Field - Lathrop CA
Ballplayers League Scout Day	CA	05/17	McBean Stadium
SoCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/18	Mater Dei High School - Santa Ana, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Fullerton	CA	05/31	Fullerton College
2025 Future Games Tryout: Los Angeles	CA	05/31	Loyola Marymount University
2025 Future Games Tryout: Malibu	CA	05/31	Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA
2025 ProCase - NorCal	CA	05/31	Cosumnes River College
2025 Future Games Tryout: Northern California	CA	06/01	Consumnes River College - Sacramento, CA
2025 ProCase - West	CA	06/01	Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles, CA
Orange County Summer ID	CA	06/04	Hart Park - Orange, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Central California	CA	06/07	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
Sacramento Summer ID	CA	06/08	Franklin High School - Elk Grove, CA
Central California Summer ID	CA	07/08	Ventura College
Senior Future Games (Class of 2026)	NATIONAL	07/22	LakePoint Sports
Future Games (Class of 2027)	NATIONAL	07/23	LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2029/30)	NATIONAL	07/24	LakePoint Sports
2025 California State Games (Invite-Only)	CA	07/30	Fullerton College - Fullerton, CA & Fullerton High School

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