Welcome Back to Asheville: Jordan Carr Returns with the Asheville Tourists
For many athletes, professional baseball is a journey filled with new cities, new organizations, and countless miles on the road. For left-handed pitcher Jordan Carr, that journey has now brought him back to a familiar place: Asheville.
The Asheville Tourists recently welcomed Carr to their pitching staff, giving Western North Carolina baseball fans a chance to watch a former UNC Asheville standout continue his professional career in the city where his collegiate journey began.
“It’s a blessing to be playing professional baseball, and out of all the teams across the country I could have gone to, it's an incredible full circle moment to be playing in the same town where I've made so many memories and connections, both on and off the field,” Carr said. “The Bulldogs played a couple of games at Hometrust Park each year, and I remember how it gave me aspirations to play professionally, so to have the opportunity to do so at the same park in this town is special.”
Carr pitching for the University of North Carolina Asheville
A native of Pasadena, Maryland, Carr arrived at UNC Asheville in 2016 and quickly became a key contributor for the Bulldogs. As a freshman, he logged more than 70 innings on the mound and finished second on the team in strikeouts. Over three seasons in Asheville, Carr appeared in 30 games with 28 starts, recording 89 strikeouts across more than 150 innings pitched.
Following his time with the Bulldogs, Carr transferred to the College of Charleston, where his development took another step forward. The move allowed him to compete at a high level in the Colonial Athletic Association while refining his role as both a starter and reliever. During his two seasons with the Cougars, Carr posted a 4-3 record with a 4.26 ERA across 27 appearances and struck out 75 batters. His 2021 campaign included 51 strikeouts in 61.2 innings while helping anchor Charleston's pitching staff.
Carr Pitching for The College Of Charleston
His performance at Charleston caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to a free-agent signing with the Minnesota Twins organization in 2021. Carr spent parts of four seasons in the Twins' farm system, working his way through multiple levels of Minor League Baseball. During his time in affiliated baseball, he compiled a career record of 17-8 with a 3.54 ERA and 186 strikeouts across more than 230 innings pitched.
After being released by the Twins organization following the 2024 season, Carr continued pursuing his professional dream in independent baseball with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. In 13 appearances, he posted a 2.25 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 12 innings pitched, proving he still belonged on the professional mound and continuing to work toward another opportunity in affiliated baseball.
Carr's connection to Asheville extends beyond the baseball diamond. In 2019, he served as an intern with the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, gaining hands-on experience in the sports tourism industry while continuing to pursue his athletic and professional goals.
“My internship with the ABRSC was also a great experience,” Carr said. “It gave me the opportunity to connect with and serve the people in Asheville at a deeper level. I got to experience some of the work that goes on behind the scenes to make such great events happen. I’m very grateful for my internship with ABRSC.”
Now, nearly a decade after first taking the mound for UNC Asheville, Carr finds himself pitching professionally in the same city that helped launch both his baseball career and one of his first professional experiences off the field.
Carr pitching for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, A-affiliate for the Minnesota Twins
Looking back on his path from Asheville to Charleston, through the professional ranks, and now back to Western North Carolina, Carr says the journey has reinforced the importance of perseverance and perspective.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far. God is so great, and I’m just thankful to continue playing the game I love at the highest level,” Carr said. “The obstacles that I’ve been through have been nothing but growth and learning experiences that help me grow deeper in my faith. Two words that come to mind to reflect the path to this point are perseverance and patience.”
“After having a couple of major injuries, one in college and one while playing professionally, I realized I didn’t have a map laid out perfectly, and the next steps are not always clear. This opportunity to play for the Tourists helps me gain perspective and appreciation for what my identity is truly, while being grateful in every moment. I’m living out part of my dream to make it to the big leagues, and having the Asheville Tourists as one of the stepping stones to get there is truly special.”
For Asheville baseball fans, it's a unique full-circle moment. A former Bulldog, former Sports Commission intern, and now a member of the Asheville Tourists, Carr's return reflects the lasting impact Asheville can have on the people who live, study, work, and compete here.
As the 2026 season continues, Carr's story serves as a reminder that Asheville remains an important place for the development of talent, not only in sports, but in the careers and lives that grow alongside it. Whether on the mound, in the classroom, or through opportunities in the community, Carr's path has come full circle back to the city that helped shape it.