10-Day IL
Injury Ankle
Est. Return 6/5/2023
2023 Stats
AVG
.230
HR
2
RBI
12
R
12
SB
1
Rest-of-Season Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Carlson's own manager was driving the hype train last spring, predicting big things for a player he envisioned as his leadoff man. That train went off the rails in a hurry as Carlson mostly struggled before landing on the injured list in May with a hamstring strain. A thumb sprain put him back on the shelf in September and the outfielder couldn't really get going in between. In the end, Carlson slashed .236/.316/.380 across 488 plate appearances. After popping 18 home runs in 2021, Carlson managed eight long balls last season to go along with five steals in seven attempts. If there's a silver lining it's that Carlson trimmed his strikeout rate five percentage points to 19.3%. Keep in mind too that Carlson is still only 24 years old and will be for the entirely of the 2023 season. While far too young to give up on, the switch hitter had dramatic platoon splits and the Cardinals may be forced dial back his playing time slightly if his struggles against lefties continue. Read Past Outlooks

Hitting from both sides of plate
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Carlson (ankle) is taking batting practice from both the left and right side of the plate and has resumed a running program, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The switch-hitting Carlson had previously been limited to batting only from the right side in recent days while he manages a left ankle sprain, but he no longer looks to be inhibited while performing full baseball activities. Carlson will likely increase the intensity of his running program over the next few days before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this week. Once he gets a few minor-league games under his belt and is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list, Carlson should settle back into a regular role in center field, which would likely result in Lars Nootbaar moving back to a corner outfield spot and one of Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson losing out on a near-everyday gig.
The switch-hitting Carlson had previously been limited to batting only from the right side in recent days while he manages a left ankle sprain, but he no longer looks to be inhibited while performing full baseball activities. Carlson will likely increase the intensity of his running program over the next few days before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this week. Once he gets a few minor-league games under his belt and is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list, Carlson should settle back into a regular role in center field, which would likely result in Lars Nootbaar moving back to a corner outfield spot and one of Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson losing out on a near-everyday gig.
Batting Stats
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2023 MLB Game Log
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Minor League Game Log

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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2021
+21%
OPS vs LHP
2023
+34%
OPS vs RHP
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2021vs Left | .837 | 319 | 8 | 36 | .309 | ||||
Since 2021vs Right | .694 | 896 | 20 | 83 | .229 | ||||
2023vs Left | .518 | 40 | 0 | 2 | .216 | ||||
2023vs Right | .692 | 68 | 2 | 10 | .238 | ||||
2022vs Left | .845 | 141 | 3 | 15 | .305 | ||||
2022vs Right | .633 | 347 | 5 | 27 | .207 | ||||
2021vs Left | .923 | 138 | 5 | 19 | .341 | ||||
2021vs Right | .739 | 481 | 13 | 46 | .243 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2021
+20%
OPS at Home
2023
+18%
OPS at Home
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2021Home | .800 | 581 | 16 | 70 | .276 | ||||
Since 2021Away | .669 | 634 | 12 | 49 | .227 | ||||
2023Home | .677 | 57 | 2 | 9 | .226 | ||||
2023Away | .572 | 51 | 0 | 3 | .234 | ||||
2022Home | .771 | 230 | 5 | 26 | .249 | ||||
2022Away | .631 | 258 | 3 | 16 | .226 | ||||
2021Home | .847 | 294 | 9 | 35 | .306 | ||||
2021Away | .718 | 325 | 9 | 30 | .227 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does Dylan Carlson compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.27BB Rate
5.6%K Rate
20.4%BABIP
.273ISO
.120AVG
.230OBP
.278SLG
.350OPS
.628wOBA
.278Exit Velocity
90.4 mphHard Hit Rate
30.4%Barrels/PA
6.5%Expected BA
.258Expected SLG
.415Sprint Speed
23.8 ft/secGround Ball %
47.4%Line Drive %
17.9%Fly Ball %
34.6%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
Many prospects cruising through Double A and Triple A when they're 20 years old are overmatched in the majors if they debut the next season. Such was the case for Carlson in 2020 before he picked things up down the stretch. Carlson's follow-up was much better as he demonstrated many of the skills earning him top prospect status. Specifically, Carlson improved his plate discipline by walking more and fanning less. His overall average exit velocity was only 29th percentile, but it was closer to league average on flyballs, supporting power. A low exit velocity on grounders combined with 73rd percentile sprint speed and a little good fortune yielded a .250 BABIP on groundballs, 11 points above average. It all added up to a 113 wRC+, impressive for a 22-year-old. Carlson has 25-15 upside, just temper expectations this season. Pay for moderate growth, likely from continued improvement with his plate discipline.
More Fantasy News

Takes batting practice
Carlson (ankle) took batting practice from the right side of the plate Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Nearing swinging workouts
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Tuesday that Carlson (ankle) will start swinging the bat later this week, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Officially placed on IL
St. Louis placed Carlson on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left ankle sprain.
ANALYSIS
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Likely headed to injured list
Carlson (ankle) is likely to be placed on the injured list, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sitting with ankle sprain
Carlson (ankle) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Brewers.
ANALYSIS
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