Tennessee baseball commit Billy Carlson signed with the Chicago White Sox Tuesday for $6,235,900, MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reported.
The Chicago White Sox selected Carlson with the 10th pick in the 2025 MLB Draft earlier this month. Carlson signed with Chicago for just under the $6.24 million slot value. Tennessee expected Carlson to go in the first round of the draft and sign professionally which mitigates the loss.
Carlson ranked as the No. 3 high school prospect and No. 2 shortstop in the 2025 recruiting cycle according to Perfect Game. A standout at Carona High School in Southern California, Carlson ranked as the No. 7 MLB Draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
According to MaxPreps, Carlson hit .365 with six home runs, four doubles, a triple and 34 RBIs in 31 games played during his senior season. He also totaled 23 walks to just 17 strikeouts. Carlson committed to Tony Vitello and his staff on Oct. 25 after officially visiting Tennessee earlier in the fall.
More From RTI: Transfer RHP Landon Mack Embracing Coming Competition With Tennessee Baseball
Carlson was one of three Tennessee baseball commits selected in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft. Trussville shortstop Steele Hall signed with the Cincinnati Reds for $5.75 million last week while San Diego Padres first round selection Kruz Schoolcraft has yet to sign professionally.
Tennessee was a real winner in the MLB Draft. Top Vol prep signees LHP Cameron Appenzeller, middle infielder Ethan Moore and catcher Trent Grindlinger all made it to campus instead of beginning their professional careers. All three were real draft risks with Appenzeller and Moore seeming more likely to sign than make it to campus ahead of the draft.
Star Virginia outfielder transfer Henry Ford projected as a third round pick but made it to campus for Tennessee. Star reliever Brandon Arvidson is also returning to Tennessee for his redshirt junior season.
Eight Tennessee players were selected in the MLB Draft with five of those players having already signed professionally. Andrew Fischer, Dean Curley and Cannon Peebles have all yet to sign but the expectation is that all three will sign.
