Carl Edwards Stats & Scouting Report

IP	286.0
ERA	3.56
WHIP	1.210
BB/9	4.8
SO/9	10.5

Full name Carl Fleming Edwards Jr.
Born 09/03/1991 in Newberry, SC
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Mid-Carolina
Debut 09/07/2015
Drafted in the 48th round (1,464th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2011.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Acquired from the Rangers in the Matt Garza deal, Edwards tore through Class A in 2013 with 155 strikeouts and one home run allowed in 116 innings. The biggest question about him was whether he could remain durable and maintain a starter's workload with his slight frame, and the answer has been no. The Cubs shifted Edwards the bullpen at Double-A Tennessee in 2015, which sped his path to the major leagues, and he made his debut in September against the Cardinals. Edwards' fastball picked up a tick or two of velocity in a relief role, regularly sitting at 94-95 mph for up to two innings, and the pitch retains its late movement that keeps it tough to square up and elevate. Edwards' command has backed up at upper levels, and he lacks true fastball command. Compounding the problem, he hasn't been able to locate his secondary stuff consistently. His changeup and curveball both flash above-average, but it won't matter if he can't throw consistent fastball strikes. As a reliever, Edwards has the stuff to still make an impact, perhaps even closing games down the line. He looks like part of a deep relief corps the Cubs have assembled in the upper levels of the minors and should see more time in Chicago in 2016--as long as he stays healthy.
Signed for $50,000 in the 48th round (which no longer exists) by the Rangers, Edwards broke out in 2013 in low Class A and was a key piece the Cubs received in trade that sent Matt Garza to Texas. Edwards missed most of 2014 with a right shoulder strain, making four April starts at Double-A Tennessee and six more after returning in August. He didn't need surgery. At his best, Edwards delivers three above-average to plus pitches, with excellent body control leading to an easy, rhythmic delivery and strike-throwing ability. He's very tough for hitters to square up due to late cutting action on his fastball, which generally sat 90-93 mph in August and in his Arizona Fall League stint. The late life on the pitch has helped him miss barrels, saw off bats and yield just two homers in 237 career pro innings. His curveball improved over his 2013 model, with more snap now in the upper 70s. The changeup flashes plus, playing off his fastball. His feel for pitching returned, though his command showed rust. Durability remains Edwards' biggest concern, and he raised more questions this year than he answered, but Cubs officials believe he learned a lesson in how to prepare for a full season. Chicago's best pitching prospect likely will start 2015 back at Double-A, with front-of-the-rotation stuff and doubts over how often he can go to the post.
Rangers area scout Chris Kemp found Edwards in a South Carolina adult league playing with other members of his baseball-steeped family. The Rangers waited until the 48th round to draft him and signed him for $50,000, then watched him emerge as the top prospect on their loaded 2013 low Class A Hickory team. He became the key piece in the package of prospects the Cubs received in the Matt Garza trade. Edwards misses barrels and bats, combining great stuff with tremendous work ethic and makeup. His thin frame evokes comparisons with Oil Can Boyd and prompts questions about his durability, but his stuff was at its best in September during the Florida State League playoffs. He locates his 93-95 mph fastball with excellent riding life and has allowed only one pro homer. His curveball gives him a second plus pitch, and he throws a hard slider that earns average grades. He uses his changeup sparingly but locked up lefthanded hitters anyway (.175, five extra-base hits in 166 at-bats). He needs more strength to maintain his stuff and keep his long arms and delivery on time. If he can hold up physically over the long term, Edwards has front-of-the-rotation potential. He's headed to Double-A for 2014.
The story of Edwards' signing will sound like an apocryphal tale if he one day makes the big leagues. Lightly scouted in high school because he didn't play in high-profile showcases, he fell to the 48th round of the 2011 draft. The Rangers selected him based on the recommendation of area scout Chris Kemp, who had recruited him to play for Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) JC while he served as an assistant coach there. Edwards elected to turn pro for $50,000 at the Aug. 15 signing deadline despite a lack of instruction or feel for pitching. Texas remedied those issues during instructional league and in extended spring training the following year, teaching him to long-toss and to repeat his delivery. The lanky righthander then promptly breezed through the Arizona League in his 2012 pro debut, allowing just six hits and no runs in 20 innings on his way to a promotion to short-season Spokane. In the span of one year, the quick-armed Edwards increased his velocity from the mid-80s to 90-94 mph with a high of 98. He also has developed feel for two secondary pitches. He imparts natural cutting action on the ball because his fingers are offset slightly to the right. Edwards can spin a mid-70s breaking ball and throw an effective changeup with fading action, but he needs to stay on top of all his pitches to get the most out of them. The Rangers rave about his makeup and projection--he could add 25 pounds easily, they say--and they intend to give him every opportunity to win a spot in the Hickory rotation.

Minor League Top Prospects

One year before the Cubs leveraged Jeff Samardzija in a July trade to acquire shortstop prospect Addison Russell from the Athletics, they used Matt Garza to pry Edwards away from the Rangers at the 2013 deadline. Both prospects suited up for Tennessee in the second half of 2014, though not before Edwards missed all of May, June and July after coming down with a shoulder strain. Tall and lean, Edwards has plus life and so much cutting action on a low-90s fastball--he tops out near 95 mph--that batters simply can't square him up. SL opponents hit just .180 against him, and he has allowed just two home runs in 50 career appearances. One scout said that Edwards threw the best curveball in the SL, and it's a plus pitch when he stays on top of the ball. Edwards continues to improve the quality and arm speed on his mid-80s changeup, and the primary long-term concerns for the gangly, long-limbed righthander will stamina, health and coordination of delivery. No one doubts his stuff will play at the top of a rotation.
Traded to the Cubs in the July Matt Garza deal, Edwards was a model of consistency when he was pitching in the Rangers system at Hickory. He held opponents to two runs or fewer in 14 of 18 starts. He didn?t allow any home runs. Edwards touched 97 mph with his fastball, but he was most effective when he was 92-94 while taking advantage of the pitch?s excellent life. His plus curveball is a 12-to-6 hammer that can completely lock up a hitter?s brain. His changeup is clearly his third pitch, but it?s effective already because of the dominance of his other two pitches. Almost all of the concerns about Edwards revolve around his frame. He?s skinny, and several scouts said they don?t believe he?ll add much weight as he matures, which leads to worries about his durability.
Lightly scouted in high school, Edwards lasted until the 48th round of the 2011 draft and was headed to junior college before signing for $50,000 at the Aug. 15 signing deadline. He was still pretty raw when he reported to the Rangers' complex in Arizona, and it wasn't until he learned to repeat his delivery during extended spring training this year that he really took off. He pitched 20 scoreless innings in the AZL and continued to excel after a promotion to short-season Spokane. Edwards possesses a fast arm and a good feel for pitching. Though a lot of projection remains in his frame, his fastball already sits at 95-96 mph and peaks at 98, and he maintains his velocity deep into his outings. He locates all of his pitches, including a mid-70s curveball and an effective changeup.
Texas' farm system already was loaded without 48th-rounders turning into legit prospects. Edwards lasted until the end of the 2011 draft because he didn't play in any high-profile showcases, but Chris Kemp had recruited him for Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) JC before leaving to become a Rangers area scout. Edwards also ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the Arizona League, where he opened the summer with 20 scoreless innings. Edwards has a long, lanky frame and has some looseness and athleticism to his delivery. His fastball sat at 90-95 mph in the NWL and hit 98 mph in the AZL, and it looks even faster with natural late life and deception. He throws an effective breaking ball and is gaining confidence in his changeup. "He was the best pitcher we saw all year," Murphy said. "He's got something to him. The last five feet of his fastball, it's going up like a rocket ship. There's a lot of hop on it."

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Rated Best Curveball in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014
Rated Best Fastball in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014
Rated Best Curveball in the Chicago Cubs in 2014
Rated Best Fastball in the Chicago Cubs in 2014

Career Transactions

RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
Yaquis de Obregon placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the reserve list.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor league contract.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
Washington Nationals activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the 60-day injured list.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
Washington Nationals placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 60-day injured list. Right shoulder inflammation.
Washington Nationals sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Washington Nationals sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Washington Nationals sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Washington Nationals sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to FCL Nationals.
Washington Nationals sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to FCL Nationals.
Washington Nationals activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr..
Washington Nationals activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr..
Washington Nationals invited non-roster RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to spring training.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. roster status changed by Washington Nationals.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Rochester Red Wings.
Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor league contract.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor league contract.
Toronto Blue Jays released RHP Carl Edwards Jr..
Toronto Blue Jays sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to FCL Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 60-day injured list. Left oblique strain.
Toronto Blue Jays placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 10-day injured list. Left oblique strain.
Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from Buffalo Bisons.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. roster status changed by Buffalo Bisons.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays signed RHP Carl Edwards Jr..
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
Atlanta Braves sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. outright to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves designated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. for assignment.
Atlanta Braves selected the contract of RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from Gwinnett Stripers.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Gwinnett Stripers from Braves Alternate Training Site.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent P Carl Edwards Jr..
Atlanta Braves released P Carl Edwards Jr..
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
Seattle Mariners sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. outright to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners transferred RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right forearm strain.
Seattle Mariners placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 7, 2020. Right forearm strain.
Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr..
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. elected free agency.
San Diego Padres sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. outright to El Paso Chihuahuas.
San Diego Padres activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the 10-day injured list.
San Diego Padres placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 10-day injured list. Right shoulder strain.
San Diego Padres recalled RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from El Paso Chihuahuas.
San Diego Padres optioned RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to El Paso Chihuahuas.
San Diego Padres traded LHP Brad Wieck to Chicago Cubs for RHP Carl Edwards Jr..
Carl Edwards Jr. roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 10, 2019. Left throracic strain.
Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the 7-day injured list.
Carl Edwards Jr. roster status changed by Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 15, 2019.
Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the paternity list.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the paternity list.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the 10-day disabled list.
Chicago Cubs sent RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on a rehab assignment to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 10-day disabled list. Right shoulder inflammation.
Chicago Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the bereavement list.
Chicago Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the bereavement list.
Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs recalled Carl Edwards Jr. from Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to Iowa Cubs.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Chicago Cubs Futures.
Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to Iowa Cubs.
Carl Edwards Jr. roster status changed by Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs reassigned RHP Carl Edwards Jr. to the minor leagues.
Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the 7-day disabled list.
Iowa Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the 7-day disabled list.
Iowa Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from the temporarily inactive list.
Iowa Cubs placed RHP Carl Edwards Jr. on the temporarily inactive list.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs optioned RHP C.J. Edwards to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of Carl Edwards Jr. from Tennessee Smokies.
Tennessee Smokies activated RHP C.J. Edwards from the 7-day disabled list.
Tennessee Smokies sent RHP C.J. Edwards on a rehab assignment to AZL Cubs.
Tennessee Smokies placed RHP C.J. Edwards on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to April 25, 2014.
RHP C.J. Edwards assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Cubs Extended Spring Training.
RHP C.J. Edwards assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Daytona Cubs.
RHP C.J. Edwards assigned to Chicago Cubs.
RHP C.J. Edwards assigned to Daytona Cubs.
Chicago Cubs traded RHP Matt Garza to Texas Rangers for RHP C.J. Edwards, RHP Justin Grimm, 1B Mike Olt and Player To Be Named Later.
RHP C.J. Edwards assigned to SAL North Division All-Stars.
Hickory Crawdads activated RHP C.J. Edwards from the 7-day disabled list.
Hickory Crawdads placed RHP C.J. Edwards on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP C.J. Edwards assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Spokane Indians.
C.J. Edwards assigned to Spokane Indians from AZL Rangers.
Washington Nationals selected the contract of RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from Rochester Red Wings.

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