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College | Story | 10/28/2021

The PG Path: Max Carlson

Craig Cozart

Photo: Max Carlson (UNC Athletics)

“Baseball is a lot like life. It’s a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life.” - Ernie Harwell

Perfect Game had the opportunity to catch up with former Perfect Game All-American and current University of North Carolina pitcher, Maxwell Carlson, to ask him about his experiences that have led him to where he is today. We appreciate him taking the time out of his busy schedule and hope we can all learn a few things from his path thus far in baseball and in life.

PG: What is your first memory involving the game of baseball?

Carlson: It was my first season of coach pitch, and I was so excited because our team was the Dodgers. We had Big League replica jerseys, and in the team picture I was wearing a pair of my older brother's hand-me-down baseball pants. They had to have been five or six sizes too big and it was all I could do just to get them to stay up. But it did not matter to me because I was just excited to get the chance to play the game...that is the perspective I try to keep to this day.

PG: How old were you when you first started playing “travel” baseball?

MC: When I was 9 years old, I made the Burnsville 10u Double A team and we traveled around the state of Minnesota on the weekends playing tournaments. Because I was from a fairly small town, most of us on that team played together all the way through high school. So, we made lifelong friends and had tremendous loyalty and camaraderie.

PG: Who were a couple of the most influential people in your baseball career as you were growing up?

MC: The first person that comes to mind is my older brother, Samuel Carlson. He is currently pitching in the Seattle Mariners organization and watching him go through the recruiting process and navigate professional baseball has given me the blueprint to success. Also, Adam Barta, the head coach of the Minnesota Blizzard, the travel ball organization I played for most of my career had a significant impact. He started working with me as a pitcher when I was 9 years old and really developed my foundation on the mound to where I am today.

PG: Growing up in a cold weather region like Minnesota, what were some things you did to develop yourself into one of the elite pitchers in the nation?

MC: Well, the first thing was that from a mentality standpoint, I never allowed myself to look at living up north as a disadvantage. Sure, it brought certain challenges but playing in the cold demanded that I have a tougher mentality and not allow weather conditions to be a deterrent to peak performance. Pitching wise, I had to do most of my throwing program indoors, so I had to teach myself the angles and intensities I should work at while throwing into a net rather than being out on a field where I could see the flight of the ball.

PG: When you hear the words, Perfect Game Baseball, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

MC: Petco Park! I had such an amazing experience as a Perfect Game All-American! Other than that, just the most competitive baseball events around.

PG: How old were you when you played in your first Perfect Game event and where was it?

MC: I was 13 years old and playing up with one of the older Minnesota Blizzard teams in Phoenix, Ariz. I can distinctly remember walking into the venue and looking around and just being amazed at how big all the players on the other teams seemed to be. Having that opportunity at an early age and knowing I had to step up to the plate and perform was very impactful for me and the rest of my career.

PG: What is your all-time favorite PG venue and why?

MC: Without a doubt, it was Petco Park, not only because it was a Big League stadium, and I was an All-American, but because of the crowd size. Being from Minnesota I was never exposed to playing in front of such a large crowd and that was important exposure for me to learn to control my emotions in a big-time situation.

PG: What was your favorite memory from a team standpoint in a Perfect Game event?

MC: In the fall of my senior year, I played some events with the Evoshield Canes organization, and we won one of the main WWBA events in Phoenix, Ariz. that fall. It is so difficult at that level to win a PG event because the competition is so intense. I just remember the last out of the championship game; us dogpiling on the field and what a rush of adrenaline that moment was for the team.

PG: From an individual standpoint, what was your best performance or fondest memory on the mound?

MC: It has to be when I was in high school, and we were in the sectional semifinals. We had to win twice in a row against the same team in order to advance. I started the first game and my brother, Sam, closed it for the victory in game 1. Sam then proceeded to start game 2 and we went on to win that game as well and play for the state championship.

PG: Do you feel like Perfect Game as organization had an impact on your career, your opportunity to be recruited and be considered for the MLB Draft?

MC: Without a doubt, coming from a small town in Minnesota, without the platform that Perfect Game creates for us to compete in the game, I am not sure where I would have ended up in my career. The credibility that PG events carry draws so many college and professional scouts that it gives prospects from anywhere to get valuable exposure.

PG: Being a Perfect Game All-American, what does that mean to you to this day?

MC: It is a very fond memory in my mind, but it does not define me as a person or a player. I am still just Max Carlson from Minnesota, and I will never lose that perspective. It was a great honor and nice to be recognized for my talent to that point but that does not mean success is guaranteed in the future. If anything, it means you must work that much harder and continue the journey of becoming the best player and person I can possibly be going forward.

PG: Based on all you have been through, what advice would you have for younger players who are getting ready to or are in the middle of the recruiting process?

MC: I would say, do not get too far ahead of yourself and be realistic. In other words, make the process happen on your timeline and do not let things speed up if you are not comfortable with it. Also, when I say be realistic, I mean explore all options. Even if you are determined to be a Division-I baseball player, see what the JUCO or D-II schools have to offer and have to say. You will be happiest where you are seeing the field and getting in the lineup.

PG: Playing collegiately at the University of North Carolina, why did you choose to become a Tarheel?

MC: An important thing in my recruiting process was finding a place where I could live, and it would feel like home to me. That is what I feel here in Chapel Hill, and I love it here and if I could go back, I would not change a thing.

PG: What is the best part about being a member of the UNC baseball team and how have you grown as an individual?

MC: First and foremost, I would say I have learned to manage my time more effectively and being punctual. I have learned to have my priorities in order, and I feel like I have become much more of a well-rounded person. From a team standpoint, the best part is the chemistry of the team and the lifelong friendships I have already developed.

PG: What has been the biggest challenge in your career thus far and what could young players learn from your experience?

MC: DO YOUR ARM CARE! I was always dedicated to my arm care, but I did have to have elbow surgery in May of 2021. I did get my toes wet early last spring with the Tarheels but that ended abruptly with the elbow injury. So, that has been a real challenge, but I am well taken care of here and I know I will be back and full-go shortly. Take care of your bodies and work hard in all aspects of strength and conditioning and arm maintenance.

PG: Most baseball players are very routine oriented and have superstitions. Do you have any interesting routines, go-to pregame meals or superstitions?

MC: I do not necessarily have any superstitions, that’s kind of lame but that is just the way it is. Pregame meals, they feed us really well here and I just take whatever they have out for the pregame spread. However, my favorite would be when they give us Tropical Smoothie, so that could be my go-to meal.

PG: Last question here, now that you have had a wide array of baseball experience, what do you know now that you wish you would have known back when you were a younger player?

MC: Do not take it too seriously, you need to have fun playing the game. Not that you do not care if you win or lose but I wish I had reminded myself to enjoy the moments a little more. This game provides us with so many unique sights and sounds that you have to be able to step back and genuinely appreciate the moments. Hopefully, I will be fortunate enough to make a career out of playing this great game, so we will see what is in store for me down the road.

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College | Recruiting | 12/15/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 15

John McAdams

Tucker Rice (27 MS) bumping up to 91; living hi-80s from real fast arm. Good SL @ 77-79 w/ depth & sold w/ intent. Loads of traits & strikes. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/DEjFqRcsIY — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 6, 2025 Tucker Rice, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Alabama Alabama has continued to stay red hot in the recruiting trail ever since August 1st rolled around on the calendar and have continued to stack major pieces in their ’27 class. They dip into Mississippi to land one of the premier arms and one that’s stood out on the circuit for quite some time. It’s a fast arm and the athleticism certainly shines working down the slope. The velocity has continued to tick up over the last calendar year and reached into the low-90s towards the end of the summer. He’s confident in his changeup and the breaking ball is...

Tournaments | Story | 12/16/2025

16u Tourney All-American Team

Michael Albee

Hitter of the Year: Koa Romero is the Hitter of the Year for the 16u group, as he would come to every premier event of the summer and earn All-Tournament honors (Beast of the East, 16/17u WWBA, Jupiter) in every single one. Over 82 plate appearances, Romero would pump ten homeruns with forty two RBI and sixteen walks, good for a .378 average and 1.339 OPS. The performance on volume at the best events of the year pushed Romero over the edge here, as he’d hit a pair of homeruns in Jupiter (one of them at 112 EV) as an underclassmen and collect double digit hits in BOTH WWBA events with a combined six jacks over the two tournaments. It was a summer that combined performance and winning on the biggest stages for Romero. It’s a quiet left-handed swing that packs a punch. He would reap the benefits of his performances, earning a commitment to LSU and jumping to the #74 prospect in...

Tournaments | Story | 12/15/2025

17u Tourney All-American Team

Vincent Cervino

There’s a lot of talent throughout this 2026 class, filled with the big-name stars, to talent that spreads across the nation. It’s been a lot of fun seeing these prospects grow and develop over the years, from the days of watching some of these guys at the 13/14u days at events on the circuit, to now where they are all graduating seniors in 2026. There’s been new faces who have popped along the way over the years, even in 2026, where some players who were relatively undiscovered, have come out and made a name for themselves with a statement performance. Between the familiar and the new, there’s a lot of names on this list that are going to be quite regularly talked about on the circuit, and for good reason. Whether it’s PG All-Americans or not, there’s a lot of names with superstar potential at the next level. We’ve got 14 PG All-Americans...

Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things. C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...

Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny

Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...

College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart

Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...

Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond. C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...

Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala

BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement as she worked her rise and curve just out...

Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger

Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...

Press Release | Press Release | 12/11/2025

PG Believe In Baseball Announces Awards Dinner

Perfect Game Staff

667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE PERFECT GAME BELIEVE IN BASEBALL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR FIRST ANNUAL “IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME” AWARDS DINNER AND AUCTION Los Angeles, California (Thursday, December 11, 2025) – The Perfect Game Believe in Baseball Foundation, together with Perfect Game leadership of Chairman Rick Thurman and CEO Rob Ponger, has announced the inaugural “In the Spirit of the Game” event, an evening of baseball and laughter, taking place Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the iconic Laugh Factory in Hollywood, Calif. The evening supports the Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance and resources that allow deserving young athletes to play, learn and grow through the...

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