Fast Carr: Kyle Carr navigated ups and downs in first pro season

A version of this article originally ran in the August edition of Renegades Magazine, which can be read in its entirety here.

It has been an up-and-down first professional season for Kyle Carr. The Yankees third-round pick in 2023 struggled early in the season to find the form he displayed during his time at Palomar College in Southern California. During the All-Star break in mid-July, Carr returned home to San Diego for a much-needed change of pace.

That trip to the West Coast may prove to be a turning point in Carr’s season. In his first start following the break on July 19, the left-hander was a part of Renegades history. Carr, Trent Sellers, Hueston Morrill combined to throw the third no-hitter in franchise history. A walk-off home run by Riggio completed a 1-0 victory and the no-no in dramatic fashion.

It was the first no-hitter Carr had been a part of since he was 11 years old. When he departed after five hitless innings, Carr sensed something special coming.

“Honestly, when I came out, I felt there was a really good chance,” Carr said. “I knew wasn’t going too much longer than five innings, but I saw Trent had his good stuff going, and I was really rooting for him to keep going, and then Hueston got the job done at the end.”

A San Diego native, Carr is living across the country far from home for the first time. He cherished going home to spend time with his family, and it provided a real boost for the coming weeks.

“It’s the best part of the country,” Carr said. “I was super stoked to go back during the All-Star break and I think that really helped me reset being able to go back home and see my mom for a little bit. That was huge.”

Since moving to the Hudson Valley this season, the 22-year-old is embracing a new hobby. In Carr’s time off, he has joined his teammates to go fishing. Carr has enjoyed it so much he wants to try it when he returns home to California.

“I got a rod a couple of weeks ago,” Carr said. “Sebastian [Keane] and Brian [Hendry] are big fishers, so I’ve gone with them. There’s a lot of good food spots as well, so I’ve been trying to eat out as much as I can.”

Carr has built on the combined no-hitter, stringing together a series of strong performances in the last month. He believes a change in mentality will continue to assist in that process.

“I think just focusing on what I can do and my routine and not as much the results,” Carr said. “Things haven’t really gone my way early, so I’m just trying to put my head down and get better each outing.”

The Yankees prospect is no stranger to adversity. Carr was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery as a high schooler in 2020 and grappled with multiple injuries during his time in college. After beginning his collegiate career at the University of San Diego, Carr’s breakout season came at Palomar College in 2023. He held a 2.31 ERA in 78 IP while striking out 111 batters and walking just 19. That summer, Carr was selected in the third round.

“It was a dream come true,” Carr said. It was my only goal growing up playing baseball. Seeing my mom’s face was the biggest thing. She’s put in just as much work as I have and it was a great feeling.”

As he looks to continue turning his season around, Carr now has a night to look back on that he will never forget, a night where everything came together for him.

“I don’t think I could have imagined it,” Carr said. “It’s definitely at the top for sure. I’ve never been part of anything like that.”