Dylan Carlson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Baltimore Orioles have recalled outfielder Dylan Carlson in light of fellow outfielder Tyler O'Neill's (neck) move to the 10-day IL. Carlson will join the O's big-league roster, likely serving as depth while O'Neill works out a nagging neck injury that's forced him from a few appearances over the prior weeks. The switch-hitting 26-year-old has already been up with the Orioles briefly in 2025, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, a RBI, and a walk. However, he's been much better for Triple-A Norfolk, batting .286 (18-for-63) with 18 runs, 11 RBI, and a 19:15 BB:K ratio. Once a first-round pick, Carlson has yet to live up to his power-speed billing in the MLB. Unless he captures some of his minor-league magic, it's unlikely he'll stick long at the major-league level. Teammate Ramon Laureano is covering right field on Saturday during their outing against the Tigers, batting ninth.

The Baltimore Orioles optioned outfielder Dylan Carlson to Triple-A Norfolk after Thursday's game against the Boston Red Sox to make room on the active roster for shortstop Gunnar Henderson (intercostal), who was officially activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday. Carlson is the odd-man out for now with Henderson returning. The 26-year-old former top prospect of the St. Louis Cardinals only played in two games in the early going in his first year in Baltimore and went hitless in six plate appearances with an RBI, run scored, one walk and four strikeouts. In only 96 games in 2024 with the Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, Carlson slashed just .209/.287/.277 with a career-worst .563 OPS, three home runs and 25 RBI in 265 plate appearances. With a crowded outfield in Baltimore, it's going to be difficult for Carlson to break through in 2025 as a post-hype prospect.

The Baltimore Orioles have placed outfielder Colton Cowser (thumb) on the 10-day injured list due to a fracture in his left thumb. In a corresponding move, the Orioles promoted outfielder Dylan Carlson to the MLB roster. Cowser sustained this injury during their contest against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Cowser apparently injured his thumb when sliding for a base. He was replaced by a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of that game. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status but expect him to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future. While Cowser remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Ramon Laureano and Heston Kjerstad to see an increase in opportunities in the corner outfield spots. Kjerstad got the starting nod on March 29, suggesting he may be slightly higher than Laureano on the depth chart. Carlson will likely only have a depth role in the outfield.