Sam Carlson: Social Media Influencer

Sam Carlson was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 2nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft in 2017 out of Burnside High School in Burnside, Minnesota as a right-handed pitcher. He is a relief pitcher for the Everett AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners High-A minor league affiliate. The 24-year-old has gone through quite a journey during his pro career, missing three seasons of professional baseball due to injury. Despite these travails Sam continues to fight and work his way up the professional ladder. Sam Carlson has become an internet sensation during his time within the Seattle Mariners organization, something that was not planned, but just happened. We at the Seattle Sports Union had the pleasure of meeting with Sam Carlson after a recent home game and got to learn just a little more about Sam as a person and his baseball career.

SSU: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us tonight, Sam. What a blessing it is to finally get to meet you.
SC: It’s nice meeting you guys as well. What do you want to know?

SSU: We just got to ask right of the bat; Over 877,000 followers on TikTok. How did you get so many followers? What is your secret? Quite an impressive feat. Please share.
SC: I just started using social media more back during Covid. I like TikTok, so I started making videos there. Our season was cancelled so I wanted to do something fun on the side. By doing these videos, it brought the realization of how temporary baseball might be for me. I didn’t realize that it was going to take off like it did, but honestly, it was so fun to do I kept doing it. People seemed to tune in to my videos, especially the pitching ones. I just kept plugging away with video after video and that started the “ball” rolling. At times, it felt a little weird because I was sharing a lot of my life but at the end of the day, it brings kids out to the ballpark now and it makes them excited to meet me. It really is one of the best feelings in the world, to be honest with you.

SSU: That is so awesome and thank you for sharing that. We are here to talk about your baseball career, but we had to ask and couldn’t wait. You grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota. What was it like growing up in the state of Minnesota?
SC: It was good, but it was also cold too! We didn’t get to play too much baseball outside in the cold weather, so we had shorter seasons. The baseball teams I played with traveled to Arizona, California and Florida where we played in tournament after tournament, especially during the winter season. I really enjoyed playing in the warmer weather and it was a great experience for me. Minnesota will always be my home (and it is still where my parents live) but I will never go back there to live because it’s just too cold.

SSU: Your senior year in high school saw your velocity go up when you were pitching. People noticed, including colleges and MLB. What was the secret behind your success?
SC: I added about 20 pounds of muscle and had a growth spurt, but the main reason was that I just cleaned up my mechanics. It just kind of happened for me and because it was my senior year, I benefitted from it, including the Seattle Mariners choosing me in the 2^nd round of the MLB draft.

SSU: Minnesota Mr. Baseball, you won that award your senior year. What is that award all about, and was it a true honor to win it? It sounds amazing.
SC: It was one of the greatest moments of my life. It was an award I won for having a great season, where I posted a 0.93 ERA and struck out 53 batters over 34 innings. Remember I mentioned our seasons were short, but it was good enough for me to win the award.

SSU: Did you have a favorite baseball moment in high school perhaps?
SC: Actually, I did have an incredible moment that I will never forget. We qualified for the state tournament. It was the only time in my career I had ever been like dog piled, haha. A sweet moment indeed.

SSU: You committed to the University of Florida before the Seattle Mariners persuaded you otherwise. Why Florida?
SC: They are a great school and with a great baseball program. I had lots of connections down there from playing baseball. They had a great academic program too and I really wanted to get out of the cold, so why not Florida.

SSU: Summer of 2017, Seattle Mariners select Sam Carlson in the 2^nd round of the MLB draft. Where were you on draft day and what was your reaction?
SC: I had a little get together in my garage at home. Earlier in the day we had practice, and everyone came over later in the day for the draft. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get drafted on day one, so it was a little weird for me not knowing. I knew teams were looking at me, including Seattle, but I knew it all depended on who was available and what their needs were at the time. Sometimes players drop and that can change the outcome of what many teams might take in the latter part of the draft. But after we all settled in, my closest friends and family, it turned into being one of the coolest days of my life. It seems so long ago now but I will never forget it.

SSU: In 2018, you had Tommy John Surgery. What was it like going through that Sam if you don’t mind sharing your experience.
SC: I really didn’t know what I was getting into guys. I was 18 years old getting operated on my throwing elbow, not knowing what was going to happen after that. I knew it would take awhile until I could throw again and get my velocity back to where it was, but I didn’t know that I would encounter lots of difficulties coming back and several setbacks. I ended up not playing again until 2021, missing 3 seasons (which included the 2020 Covid Season). How crazy is that? In 2021 I got to play baseball again and I was like “baseball is fun again”, I was having the time of my life.

SSU: We at the Seattle Sports Union and so many of the local sports writers are so proud of you man. What an inspiration you truly are. You have been through so much, but you have kept positive and kept fighting through the pain you incurred and the painful setbacks you had in your recovery.
SC: Thanks guy, I truly appreciate that so much. It hasn’t been easy, being a 2^nd round pick, not filling the shoes of what a 2^nd pick should be doing. A lot of people set the bar high for those in my position and I have been doing everything in my power so I can lay my head on a pillow at night and be ok with how much effort I give day in and day out. I hope to keep on going as long as this game lets me, and I am truly grateful to the Seattle Mariners and to all of you fans for continuing to believe in me.

SSU: What are the Mariners plans for you? Will you go back to being a starter or for now it’s out of the bullpen? How many pitches do you currently throw?
SC: I throw a fastball, slider and change up. They are working with me pitching in relief now, mainly long relief. It has been an adjustment after being a starting pitcher all my career, but I am enjoying my new role.

SSU: Long term, where do you see yourself after your baseball career is over?
SC: I really don’t know, it’s hard to think that far in advance. I am trying to live in the present moment. I enjoy what I am currently doing, trying to build the platform that I can, by continuing to share my joy for the game with all of you.

SSU: When you came to Everett, what was your first impression of your beautiful city?
SC: It was cold man, haha. I live in Arizona during the offseason so like when I got here back in April, it’s like brrrrr. It reminded me of the cold weather I encountered playing in Minnesota. Everett really is beautiful though. So much cool stuff to do up here. The seafood is amazing, the road trips we have taken this season. Vancouver was probably my favorite, but so was Eugene and I can’t wait until we go to the Tri-Cities. Living in the Pacific Northwest has been a great experience so far. People are super friendly, fun to explore. It is strange how we have no AC in some of the houses and apartments we live in. I’m like “hey, I need to go buy a fan!”

SSU: Who plays Sam Carlson in your lifetime Hollywood story and what is your favorite sports movie of all time?
SC: I really don’t know any actors and don’t have any nicknames so how about the actor who plays Ivan Drago in the Rocky movie. People say I look like Drago lol. Favorite sports movie of all time… how about “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler. My pops and I watched that movie all the time growing up. It was our comfort movie. When we wanted to watch a good movie and needed a laugh, we would put on this movie. Something I will always cherish.

SSU: Where can we find you on social media? Thank you again for making time to talk with us.
SC: I am on TikTok, Instagram, Snap Chat and Twitter. Thanks guys truly appreciated the time to talk. Have a great night.

PHOTO CREDIT: Shari Sommerfeld

ABOUT SEATTLE SPORTS UNION: SSU is a group of passionate fans following teams in the Seattle area. Their podcast involves interviews with local sports figures and commentary. Podcasts can be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Youtube, you can also find them on the web at seattlesportsunion.com

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