Charlie Tilson paving the way for Palm Beach in the first half
Charlie Tilson is a Florida State League All-Star. He is the 12th-best prospect in the St. Louis organization according to Baseball America. He has been tabbed as the fastest baserunner in the Cardinals system. He is one of the leaders of the Palm Beach Cardinals.
And Charlie Tilson is only 21 years old.
The Palm Beach center fielder has had a tremendous first half to the 2014 campaign. He ranks near the top on the team in nearly every offensive and defensive category and by the All-Star Break, was batting .298 (70-for-235) with 32 runs scored, 17 RBI and two home runs.
His striking numbers warranted a selection to the FSL All-Star squad - Tilson's first such honor in his young career.
"It means a lot obviously," Tilson said on making the team. "That's what you prepare for all offseason. To be able to get out there and put up some good numbers in the first half and get an opportunity like that is a big honor."
Tilson attributes the All-Star nod to the extra work he's put in with hitting coach Roger LaFrancois and Palm Beach manager Dann Bilardello.
"I think it says a lot about our coaches," said Tilson. "I've been working out with Roger every day and he's been very helpful - Dann as well. I'm really excited about it."
Tilson, who was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the June, 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of New Trier High School in Illinois, has come a long way in just two years of professional ball. He can definitely relate to the young high school standouts that were selected by St. Louis two weeks ago in the 2014 Draft.
"It was an exciting time," Tilson recalls of the experience in 2011. "I was sitting around with my family. The draft is one of those things where you really never know what could happen. You don't know the outcome so I kind of tried to keep the group I was watching with small. I didn't want to have my expectations too high."
While the wait wasn't too long for the highly-touted high school prospect, Tilson was happy when his name was finally called.
"I definitely couldn't have been more fortunate with the organization I was picked in. It was a great honor, it was an exciting time, and I've been enjoying it ever since."
For a player who has had a successful transition into professional baseball, Tilson notes that it takes a lot to make the conversion from high school star to an everyday ball player in the minor leagues.
"I think there are a lot of factors for me," Tilson said. "You know, just being away from home for as long as we are is a big step out of high school. As far as the competition and the grind of it all, I think when you're playing every day - we play 140 games in a season - the most important thing I've learned is just to try and stay even-keeled.
"Baseball's a game where you're going to have a lot of ups and downs so I think just having that confidence about you and maintaining composure through the season has been really helpful for me."
As soon as this season or next, Tilson and the recent high school grads coming into the St. Louis organization could be teammates at one level or another. In the meantime, Tilson is already turning his attention to the second half of the season.
"I started to get more comfortable at the plate in the first half," Tilson said. "First starting off [in the FSL] it was an adjustment. The league's a step-up for sure. I think the pitching we face is a little bit better.
"I think if I can build on that and keep improving at the plate it should be a good second half for me."
Whether it is in Palm Beach or Double-A Springfield, Tilson will help his team win in the final 70 games of the season. With a league-best eight game winning streak near the end of the first half, Palm Beach could certainly use the hot bat and blistering speed on the base paths to make a postseason run.
But is Tilson really the fastest baserunner in the entire St. Louis system?
"I definitely pride myself on my hustle," Tilson said with a smile. "We have a lot of fast runners in this organization - the competition is always high and we have fun with it. It keeps us all moving."
A humble response for a high-character athlete. Other than stealing bases for a hobby, Tilson has also been extremely active in off-field charity work this year.
Last month, the Cardinals prospect spent a morning at Palm Beach Children's Hospital along with some of his teammates. Tilson is also leading the charge in the Vs. Cancer Foundation Night at Roger Dean Stadium on June 17, raising thousands of dollars to help childhood cancer research and benefit the Palm Beach Children's Hospital.
The whole team got behind Tilson and teammate Joe Cuda to shatter the team goal of $5,000 raised for the cause. Following the game on the 17th, Tilson, Cuda, and several more Cardinals will shave their heads on the dugout to show their support.
"I thought it was a great idea," Tilson said of the fundraiser. "I think it's good as far as team camaraderie and I was excited to see everyone jump on board with that. My mom actually just beat breast cancer this offseason so it was good timing for me."
With a remarkable amount of talent and a great head on his shoulders, Tilson has become a fan favorite around Jupiter, Florida. Be sure to keep an eye on for this future star. In the blink of an eye, he could be sprinting up the ranks in the Cardinals' system.
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring