Jays pitching prospect Carter already helping Toronto children’s hospital

Despite not having pitched above Low-A, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Irv Carter is already helping out the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. Here he is at the Blue Jays new’ Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Fla. Photo: Damien Lisi

April 3, 2023

By Damien Lisi

Centennial Sports Journalism

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Irv Carter is making a difference in Toronto before even throwing a ball in the city.

While polishing his game in the minor leagues, Carter is sharply focused on supporting the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

“I’ve been doing that for about two years now,” said Carter at the Blue Jays rebuilt Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Fla.

“I go back (to Toronto) every Christmas and help give back to the kids over there, and I’m glad I have a pretty good connection with Toronto already.”

The New Jersey native, who was a combined 1-4 with a 5.48 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings between Rookie ball and Low-A Dunedin in 2022, delivers gifts annually at hospitals in Florida and saw an opportunity to continue the tradition in Canada.

For good reason.

“My sister has a condition called venous malformations, (a vascular condition) and when we were back home in West Palm Beach, we would always give back to the kids at Christmas time because we were always with her during her hospital stays,” said Carter about his sibling, Gia.

“When I got drafted by Toronto (in 2021), I thought ‘Why don’t we just change the location of that?’”

It was a perfect fit between the prospect and the Holland Bloorview Capes for Kids initiative, as the two joined forces in a partnership to help kids with disabilities.

While in the past, teams like the Blue Jays or the CFL Argonauts have visited the East York hospital as a team, Carter took the opportunity to make an impact on his own.

“I went out the first year and it was a great turnout, and when we just went back this year it was an amazing time as well,” said Carter.

“I go into classrooms or play games with them for hours and it really gives me a ton of joy to do that.”