August 19, 2025
Right-handed pitcher Irv Carter has adjusted his pitch repertoire since moving to the bullpen.
Entering pro ball as a four-pitch starter in 2022, Carter currently uses a three-pitch mix of: a cutter, a sinker, and a changeup.
His pitch adjustment started last season, thanks in part to the help of pitching coordinator Justin Lehr.
“When I moved to the bullpen it was strictly cutter, sinker, and changeup,” explained Carter. “I learned my cutter last year and that kind of got my career back on track. I added the sinker, thanks to the help of pitching coordinator Justin Lehr. He came in around May of 2024 and helped me adjust my cutter and sinker. He also helped me adjust my sights.”
Pitching 51 2/3 innings in 2025; Carter has 49 K’s and a WHIP of 1.45.
The goal of the sinker and cutter combo was to help Carter be more of an east-to-west pitcher.
“I feel with pitching you either go north-to-south or east-to-west,” stated Carter. “I’m an east-to-west pitcher, so I want the ball going in-and-out on you at all times. I think the biggest thing is knowing your game, so knowing I’m an east-to-west guy; I want my cutter to go hard at 90 mph, my sinker goes in-and-out at 95, and I have my changeup to mix up the speeds as needed.”
Currently in his second season with High-A Vancouver, Carter talks about the differences between the hitters in Low-A and High-A.
“Just the takes they have,” said Carter. “They have a better approach in High-A, they have a better plan, but at the end it’s still baseball. It was a little jump with the way they attack.”
Carter has also made adjustments to his routines since moving to the bullpen, “It took a little time to get my routines down going from the starter role to the relieving role,” explained Carter. “I had to adjust my routines, figure out when to warm up, basically just kind of watching the game of baseball a little bit more; seeing when I should get moving, stuff like that. I think with a little more experience in the relieving role, it’s getting better. It wasn’t a crazy transition, it was just figuring out my routines between being a starter and a reliever.”
Be sure to follow Irv Carter, as he continues to be a solid east-to-west reliever in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization for years to come.