THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,802 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,802 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 7/21/2019

Carlson cashes in on opportunity

Cory Van Dyke
Photo: Max Carlson (Perfect Game)
HOOVER, Ala. -- Maxwell Carlson made the short walk to the mound, delivered several warm up pitches, and began his outing at the 2019 WWBA 17u Elite Championship, attempting to push Canes National 17u into the semifinals.

A horde of scouts gathered behind the backstop, waiting for Carlson to unleash that low 90’s fastball. Instead, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound righthander deceived everyone with back-to-back changeups to begin the game.



“That was a mistake,” Canes head coach Jeff Petty said with a laugh explaining that his catcher had the wrong pitch card in his wristband.

Mistake or not, it was the beginning of a dominant performance for Carlson as he tossed five shutout innings, scattering two hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts. The Canes defeated East Coast Sox 17u Select 5-0, setting up a chance to take home the title on Sunday.

Carlson’s array of pitches includes a hard fastball that runs in on righties and broke three bats in the first two innings, a fading changeup that may be his most advanced pitch, and a combination of a biting slider and soft curveball. 

“We had to pry the ball out of his hands at the end,” Petty said. “He wanted to keep going. That just talks about his competitiveness and his pitchability. That changeup I feel like is big league ready right now. It’s good. He’s the kind of guy you want on the mound when you’re trying to win a big game.”

It’s clear that Carlson is made for big moments on the bump. That competitiveness is an ode to another Max.

“Professionally, I try to model my game after Max Scherzer,” Carlson said. “I love his intensity and how he throws with intent every single time. Dominates hitters, I love that.”

On Saturday night, the Savage, Minnesota native did exactly that, dominating hitters from start to finish. It was just another example of why Carlson is currently ranked the No. 47 overall player in the 2020 class and why he was selected to compete in the Perfect Game All-American Classic next month in San Diego.

“I try to take after my brother,” Carlson said. “He’s such a hard worker. He wasn’t an All-American, but I try to take after his hard work. Being named as an All-American and having that pay off, that was a really good honor that makes me feel really good about myself.”

That brother isn’t just any ordinary brother. It’s Samuel Carlson, the second round selection by the Seattle Mariners in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Growing up together as two competitive athletes, it wasn’t quite the sibling rivalry that one might expect. 

“When I didn’t have my driver’s license and he did, he’d bring me to workout every day,” Carlson said. “We’d throw together and do arm care together. Everything like that.

“We really didn’t have a sibling rivalry. We built each other up. We helped each other out, we threw together. We did everything together.”

That’s exactly why it’s been so tough for Max to see his brother be hampered by arm injuries since beginning his professional career. As the Mariners pitching prospect recovers from Tommy John surgery, it has finally created some friendly feuding.

“He texted me the other day, and there is a little bit of a rivalry now because he said, ‘We throw the same speed now,’” Carlson said. “He’s bringing it back.”

Sam’s recruiting process allowed Max the opportunity to really walk in his brother’s shoes and see that he could be doing the same one day. Through Sam’s recruiting visits, Max tagged along and began to imagine what the future held for him.

“It all starts with my brother,” Carlson said. “When he started getting recruited, I was like, ‘Wow, I can really do that too if I work hard enough and put in all the work. I can be just like him.’”

It’s why once Carlson finishes his senior season of high school, he’ll be attending North Carolina to play under Mike Fox. The Tar Heels have planted themselves as one of the premier college baseball programs, making the College World Series seven times since 2006.

“Carolina has been my dream school since I was a little kid in fifth grade,” Carlson said. “It started with their basketball team and then my brother started getting recruited and I got into their baseball team. That was it from there. I always wanted to go there.”

That is of course assuming Carlson doesn’t follow the same path as his brother. Sam was committed to Florida before getting drafted and signing his contract out of high school.

It’s a path that Carlson could certainly be headed down, but one that will only be settled with time.

“I don’t really think about it now,” Carlson said. “It’s a little under a year away. We have plenty of time and things can change. You can go up or you can go down. I just try to go out there and have fun, do what I do, and hopefully it works out well for me.”

Carlson is certainly having fun on the field, playing with a loose attitude. That was on display Saturday night where after every inning pitched, one of his teammates would meet him halfway between the mound and the dugout, embracing Carlson with the stuffed animal that he bought the day prior.

“He’s level headed,” Petty said. “His brother played for us. A lot like his brother. He probably learned some things from his brother… He just wants to go out and have fun and compete and win baseball games.”

Equipped with supernatural ability on the field, Carlson is still your typical teenager off the field.

He’s an avid frisbee golfer, noting that he plays pretty much every day when he’s home. He still looks back and laughs at his tee ball picture with the oversized pants and belts. That was the team where he formed some of his best friendships that have survived all these years later. 

His parents, Eric and Monica, played high school sports, but they were never star baseball or softball players. Instead, they have offered the full support of their two sons who have spent the better half of their lives turning heads left and right on the baseball field.

“My parents are just living the dream,” Carlson said. “They love watching both of us.”

Max’s parents may be living their dream, but he’s right in the midst of his own. In fact, that dream nearly reaches full fruition every time he can toe the rubber and do what he does best.

“[Baseball] is just a passion,” Carlson said. “I love the game, love to play it, love to throw baseballs.”
 
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 1/18/2026

MLK West Scout Notes: Days 1-2
Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
Cole Migaki (‘29 WA) w/ one of his 5 K’s thru 2-innings. FB 84-86 coupled w/ a firm BB that has 11/5 shape sitting 77-77. Balanced operation w/ a live, loose arm. Athletic frame at 6-ft, 170 that projects #MLKWest @PG_PacificNW pic.twitter.com/iBgAoajNUM — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) January 16, 2026 Cole Migaki (2029 Vancouver, WA) Was lights out in his start on Friday at MLK West, only needing 42 pitches to get thru three-innings and did not allow a hit or run while punching out 8.  Migaki overwhelmed opposing hitters, running his fastball up to 86 and mixing in a firm breaking ball at 75-77 with 11-5 shape and depth.  The athletic 6-foot, 170-pound right-hander is the top ranked third base prospect in the state of Washington for the class of 2029, collecting a couple of hits in his five at-bats and drove in a run.  Excellent start to...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 1/16/2026

Perfect Game Hires Blakeley As Regional Dir.

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME HIRES ERIC BLAKELEY AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR    Sanford, Florida (Friday, January 16, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the hiring of Eric Blakeley as a Regional Director. Blakeley brings more than two decades of experience in elite baseball and softball events, along with an accomplished background as both a collegiate and professional player.    Blakeley joins Perfect Game after building the highly respected Crossroads Baseball Series, where for more than 20 years he developed and operated baseball...
Read More
College | Story | 1/16/2026

Conference Preview: ACC

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  School  W L W L Boston College 28 29 11 19 California 24 31 9 21 Clemson 45 18 18 12 Duke 41 21 17 13 Florida State 42 16 17 10 Georgia Tech 41 19 19 11 Louisville 42 24 15 15 Miami 35 27 15 14 North Carolina 46 15 18 11 NC State 35 21 17 11 Notre Dame 32 21 14 16 Pitt 28 27 10 20 Stanford 27 25 16 15 Virginia 32 18 16 11 Virginia Tech 31 25 12 18 Wake Forest 39 22 16 14 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Vahn Lackey Georgia Tech...
Read More
College | Story | 1/14/2026

2026 College Preview Index

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
From Preseason All-Americans to a Top 25, make sure to check back daily as we will continue to pump out content as a staff. Every conference preview will include a Preseason All-Conference Team as well as Draft/Prospect lists for each of the next 3 years (2026, 2027, 2028) while also breaking down every team within each conference. Publish Date Content Wednesday January 7 Preseason All-Americans Thursday January 8 Preseason Top 25 Monday January 12 Top 100 Freshmen Tuesday January 13 Top 100 Sophomores Wednesday January 14 Top 100 Juniors Thursday January 15 Top 100 Seniors College Conference Previews Publish Date Conference Friday January 16 Atlantic Coast (ACC) Monday January 19 Southeastern (SEC) Tuesday January 20 Oregon State Preview Wednesday January 21 Big 10 Thursday January 22 Big 12 Friday January 23 American (AAC) Monday January 26 Atlantic Sun (ASUN)...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 1/14/2026

Perfect Game Softball Turf Wars

Ashley Mears
Article Image
2026 Perfect Game Softball Turf Wars January 9-11 Ashley Mears   The 2026 season kicked off in impressive fashion at the Fun City Dome in Burlington, Iowa, featuring a highly competitive field across both age groups. The 18U division was loaded with talent, including over 20 Division I and II commits and several high-upside prospects, leading to intense bracket play and multiple walk-off finishes. Iowa Nationals claimed the championship over a well-rounded Iowa Prospects Gold team. The 14U division brought together quality programs from Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. The tournament championship was an exciting matchup where Southeast Iowa Swarm edged a tough Black Dragons squad. 18u Lauren Hagedorn (2026, Adel, IA) of Iowa Nationals and future Iowa State Cyclone earned weekend MVP honors after a strong two-way performance. In the circle, she consistently kept hitters off balance...
Read More
College | Rankings | 1/15/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Seniors

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen | Top 100 Collegiate Sophomores | Top 100 Collegiate Juniors This senior board is one of the deepest we’ve assembled in years. From experienced weekend arms with power stuff, to proven position players coming off loud 2025 spring seasons, to former prospects returning from injury and looking to reestablish their status, impact players are scattered throughout the group. Headlining the board is Maika Niu, now at Arkansas after a strong season at Marshall and an MVP summer on the Cape. Nui is a high-level athlete in center field and a legitimate offensive force who should slide seamlessly into the heart of the Razorbacks’ lineup. Close behind are two premium arms in Ole Miss’s Hunter Elliott and Kentucky’s Jaxon Jelkin. Elliott is coming off a monster 2025 spring, going 10–3 with a 2.94 ERA and 104 strikeouts, and...
Read More
College | Rankings | 1/14/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Juniors

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen | Top 100 Collegiate Sophomores As we look ahead to another season of college baseball and continue our week of class-by-class lists, we look at the Junior class and we’ve got our Top 100 Juniors in the 2026 college season. This list aligns with the PG Draft lists we compiled at the top, with Roch Cholowsky, Drew Burress, and AJ Gracia rounding out the top three. There’s a litany of storylines to follow this year, with players who have tons of draft upside or players looking to be impactful players among their respective programs. These are the players who we feel are in a position to make some serious noise during the 2026 season. Talent is present all across the board, with players who could make some serious statements this year. Looking all the way up and down the board, there are impact bats, players primed for a breakout, Friday...
Read More
College | Rankings | 1/13/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Sophomores

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen As we creep toward opening day here in a month or so, the draft team has put together the Top 100 sophomores on campus this spring.  This list is chalk full of talent, with future draft prospects littered top to bottom. The headliner of this group is Derek Curiel, a draft eligible sophomore that took the SEC by storm last spring. The Perfect Game All-American posted a .990 OPS over the course of a full season and is projected to vault himself further up the board during his ‘26 campaign. An electric arm in Dax Whitney follows up Curiel, with Strosnider, Lawson and Franco rounding out the top five.  Keep tabs on the draft eligible sophomores in this group come the summer. The rest of the pack are eligible for next year’s draft and figure to feature at the top of many draft lists in ‘27.  Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown...
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 1/12/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
As we creep toward opening day here in a month or so, the draft team has put together the Top 100 freshmen on campus this spring.  Three high-end arms lead the way, starting with Jack Bauer. The Mississippi State left-hander reached triple digits as a prep and is sure to make an immediate impact this spring. UCLA right-hander Angel Cervantes was selected in the 2nd round of last year’s draft but held firm on his commitment and should be an impact arm for the Bruins. Following the arms, a collection of bats rounds out the Top 10. There is loads of upside to the group with the potential and they should draw considerable playing time as freshman.  As the list gets deeper, there are plenty of players that should pop up and make significant contributions both this year and years down the line. The class has both depth and talent, making for a very intriguing group of...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 1/9/2026

PG Leaderboard: Class of 2030

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
Complete PG Leaderboard Database PG Leaderboard: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2029 Today we wrap up our reviews of the 2026 thru 2030 class where we looked back on some of the eye opening metrics we saw from around the country, both in a showcase and tournament setting. To those not inside the youth baseball world, some of the metrics below would seem truly unattainable from current 8th graders, from the pair of 90 mph heaters courtesy of Amani Tuiasosopo and Kingston George, to upper-80s velocity from all over the field and multiple players north of 90 mph on the exit velocity testing (with wood), this 2030 class is one that has a chance to be special as we continue to watch it unfold moving forward.  Top Fastball Velocity  Rk Player FB Event School Hometown 1 Amani Tuiasosopo 90 2025 WWBA 14U World Championship Renton...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.