This week we are catching up with former Waterloo Bucks infielder, Chris Carlson. The Detroit Tigers drafted the Topeka, Kansas native in the 29th round of the 2006 first-year player draft. Since being drafted, Carlson has been working his way up the Tigers farm league system.

After his high school career, Carlson started out playing for the Kansas State Wildcats. While playing at K-State, Carlson batted a .255; hit three homers and 32 RBI. He then transferred to the University of New Mexico where he had two incredible seasons. In 2005 Carlson batted a .395; hit 15 homers and 79 RBI. In the 2006 season with the Lobos, Carlson batted a .399 and hit 21 homers and 79 RBI.

After being drafted 862nd overall in ‘06, Carlson played first base for the Tiger’s rookie league team. He led the league with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 47 RBIs, 27 extra-base hits, 104 total bases, a .588 slugging percentage and one home run every 16.09 at-bats. Carlson also topped all first basemen with a .987 fielding percentage and 36 double plays. He was named to Topps’ short-season/Rookie All-Star team and was selected to the Gulf Coast League postseason All-Star team.

In 2007, Carlson moved up to the Tigers New York Penn League where he hit second 21 doubles, 51 RBIs and 32 extra-base hits. Carlson tied for second with 10 home runs and finished fourth with a .496 slugging percentage in the league. He was the leagues best first basemen with 645 total chances and 599 putouts. He was named short-season Oneonta’s Player of the Year. Carlson also was selected to the New York-Penn League midseason All-Star team and earned a Most Valuable Player honor.

In 2008, Carlson advanced his way into the Tiger’s Class A team, the West Michigan WhiteCaps. Carlson came close to hitting for the cycle twice. He was a triple shy and drove in four runs against South Bend on April 6. Nearly a month later, Carlson fell a triple shy again against Lansing on May 9. He homered in three straight games from May 31-June 2 and drove in 14 runs in 19 April games. Carlson batted a .277 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs in 94 games. He was selected to the Midwest League’s midseason All-Star team.

In 2009, Carlson started for the Tiger’s Advanced Class A team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers. He played in 73 games, batted a .237, hit 13 homers and 29 RBI.

Carlson played for the Waterloo Bucks during the ’05 season. He played in nine games with the Bucks. During those nine games he batted a .276, hit two homers and 8 RBI.