Carlson, a switch-hitter, won the Texas League Player of the Year award Tuesday, almost two weeks after he left the league and Class AA Springfield for a promotion to Class AAA. Carlson carried an impressive debut in big-league spring training into the regular season and has been among the Texas League leaders in almost every significant offensive category all season, including leading the league in homers (21) and slugging percentage (.518) still weeks after he went to Triple-A Memphis.
With his assertive season and promotion to Memphis, Carlson has played his way into the Cardinals’ plans for 2020.