Toronto Blue Jays sign former Victoria HarbourCats pitcher
Published 12:15 pm Friday, July 24, 2026
A former Victoria HarbourCats pitcher has officially signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Just over a week after selecting Carson Cormier 492nd overall in the 16th round of the MLB Draft, the Blue Jays signed the 22-year-old right-hander, who has been assigned to the club’s rookie-level affiliate in the Florida Complex League.
“Beyond blessed and grateful,” Cormier shared on Instagram. “Can’t give enough thanks to all the amazing people that helped me get here.”
Cormier suited up for the HarbourCats during the 2024 West Coast League season, emerging as one of the league’s top pitchers.
The six-foot-six right-hander posted a 1.35 earned run average across 12 appearances while striking out 36 batters. His performance earned him West Coast League first-team all-star honours in his lone season with Victoria.
Cormier carried that success into the collegiate ranks this past season at Illinois State, following a transfer from Texas Christian University.
In his first season with the Redbirds, he went 4-2 with a 4.17 ERA over 16 appearances. He also led the team with 74 strikeouts across 69 innings, ranking sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Westford, Mass., product was recognized with All-MVC Honourable Mention and Scholar-Athlete Team honours while maintaining a 3.75 GPA.
If Cormier eventually reaches the major leagues with Toronto, he would follow in the footsteps of another former HarbourCat. Nathan Lukes, who played in Victoria in 2014, has appeared in 254 games with the Blue Jays over the past four seasons.
Cormier was one of five players who developed through the HarbourCats organization to be selected in this month’s MLB Draft.