Since being selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 24th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft out of Hilo High, Jodd Carter has made stops in Arizona, Mahoning Valley, Lake County and Lynchburg.
Carter’s been an Indian – a rookie league Indian, that is – a Scrapper, a Captain and a Hillcat while bouncing around three different levels of Single-A in Cleveland’s minor league system.
In 2017, the 21-year-old outfielder spent his entire season with the Advanced-A Lynchburg (Va.) Hillcats, hitting 11 home runs to surpass his combined total from his previous two-plus seasons.
Carter slumped toward the end of the season and ended up with a .239 batting average, but a keen eye at the plate allowed him to amass a .326 on-base percentage.
Carter took time to answer questions via email with the Tribune-Herald:
Q: What has the transition from high school to professional baseball been like for you?
A: Going from high school directly into professional baseball, I transitioned into a more competitive environment where players are competing for a job.
Q: What is the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make so far?
A: My biggest adjustment was not getting down on myself when I’m struggling. It’s a balance of improving my mistakes, but also focusing on the games to come.
Q: Any idea, where you start next season? Potentially Double-A?
A: No. Players don’t find out their team assignment until the last day of spring training.
Q: What do you miss most about playing baseball in Hilo?
A: Being able to play in front of my family and also playing with my friends I grew up with.
Q: What’s your biggest enjoyment about playing professional baseball and living your dream?
A: Aside from being fortunate enough to play baseball as my job, this career has allowed me to travel to different states and meet people from all over the world.
Q: Describe your journey from a young child to where you are today?
A: My papa introduced me to the game of baseball at the age of three and I’ve played ever since.
Q: What do you think contributed to the power increase from 2016 to 2017?
A: In my offseason I put a lot of work in at the weight room and adjusted some minor mechanics of my swing.
Q: How did growing up in Hawaii benefit you as a baseball player at a young age?
A: In Hawaii we have the benefit of being able to play year-round baseball compared to some places in the mainland where it snows. Growing up I was able to play year-round baseball which helped in developing basic fundamentals of the sport.
Q: Who have been you biggest supporters to help you get this far?
A: My family, girlfriend and Hawaii supporters.
Q: Any message to all the youth back home?
A: Don’t stop chasing your dreams regardless of the doubts people may have. Just because it isn’t their dream doesn’t mean it can’t be yours.