Carl Edwards Jr.

Carl Fleming Edwards Jr. (born September 3, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners.

Not to be confused with Carl Edwards.

Carl Edwards Jr.
Edwards with the Chicago Cubs in 2017
Atlanta Braves
Pitcher
Born: (1991-09-03) September 3, 1991
Newberry, South Carolina
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 7, 2015, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record9–8
Earned run average3.54
Strikeouts242
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career

Texas Rangers

Edwards was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 48th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft out of Mid-Carolina High School in Prosperity, South Carolina.[1] Edwards initially committed to play college baseball for the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, where he would join a high school teammate and friend. However, when that friend died in a car accident, Edwards decided instead to pursue professional baseball.[2] He spent his first professional season with the Arizona League Rangers and Spokane Indians. He finished the year 5–3 with a 1.48 earned run average (ERA) and 85 strikeouts over 67 innings pitched. He started the 2013 season with the Hickory Crawdads, going 8–2 with a 1.83 ERA and 122 strikeouts over ​93 1⁄3 innings (18 starts).

Chicago Cubs

On July 22, 2013, Edwards along with Mike Olt, Justin Grimm, and a player to be named later (Neil Ramirez) were traded to the Chicago Cubs for Matt Garza.[3] He was sent to the Daytona Cubs, where he had a 1.96 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 23 innings (six starts). After the season, he was named the MiLB Pitcher of the Year.[4]

Prior to the 2014 season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the 28th best prospect in baseball.[5] He spent the 2014 season with the Tennessee Smokies where he compiled a 1–2 record and 2.44 ERA over ten starts. On November 20, 2014, Edwards was added to the Cubs 40-man roster, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He began 2015 with Tennessee and was promoted to the Iowa Cubs in May.

2015 season

On September 7, 2015, Edwards made his Major League debut for the Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.[6] In 36 appearances out of the bullpen between both Tennessee and Iowa prior to his callup, he was 5–3 with a 2.77 ERA and 75 strikeouts over ​55 1⁄3 innings.

2016 season

Edwards began 2016 with Iowa. He was recalled May 11 to Chicago, but returned to Iowa the next day. He was recalled once again on June 20 and spent the rest of the season with Chicago. On September 1, Edwards recorded his first Major League save against the San Francisco Giants.[7] Edwards finished the 2016 season with a 3.75 ERA in 35 innings pitched.[8]

Carl Edwards Jr. delivers a pitch during the 10th inning of World Series Game 7.

On October 25, Edwards along with teammates Addison Russell, Dexter Fowler, and Jason Heyward became the first African-Americans to play for the Cubs in a World Series game.[9][lower-alpha 1] In Game 3, he struck out the side in relief duty in the top of the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first African-American to pitch for the Cubs in a World Series game.[10] Edwards appeared in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 7, where he recorded the first two outs of the inning and surrendered one run. The Cubs went on to win their first World Series in 108 years.[11]

2017 season

2017 was Edwards' first full season in the major leagues; he was 5–4 with a 2.98 ERA and 94 strikeouts in ​66 1⁄3 relief innings pitched.

Edwards struggled in the division series against the Washington Nationals, pitching ​2 1⁄3 innings and allowing six runs.[12] Notably, he allowed a game-tying two-run home run to Bryce Harper in the eighth inning of Game 2.[13] Edwards' performance improved during the league championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, again pitching ​2 1⁄3 innings, but this time allowing no runs.[12]

2018 season

In 2018, Edwards posted a 3–2 record and recorded 67 strikeouts and a 2.60 ERA in 52 innings.

2019 season

Edwards struggled in the beginning of 2019. He pitched in four games between March 30 and April 5, recording only five outs. He allowed three hits (two home runs), five walks, and six runs.[14] He was optioned to the Iowa Cubs on April 6 to work through his mechanics.[15] The Cubs recalled Edwards on May 6.[16]

San Diego Padres

On July 31, 2019, Edwards was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Brad Wieck.[17] On November 4, 2019, he cleared waivers and elected free agency.

Seattle Mariners

On December 4, 2019, Edwards signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.[18] On October 22, 2020, Edwards Jr. elected free agency after being outrighted off of the 40-man roster. In 2020, he allowed 1 run over 5 games, striking out 6.[19]

Atlanta Braves

On January 29, 2021, Edwards signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization.[20]

Personal life

Edwards and his fiancée, Anquinette Smith, welcomed their first child in August 2015, and their second in July 2018.[21]

Miscellaneous

Edwards was known as "C.J." in the minor leagues, a name which Cubs manager Joe Maddon continues to use.[22] Edwards also earned the nickname "The String Bean Slinger" for his skinny physique,[23] which he has adopted for the back of his personalized jersey during the annual Players Weekend.[24]

Notes
  1. Jackie Robinson's rookie season was 1947 which was two years after the Chicago Cubs appearance in the 1945 World Series. In 1953, Ernie Banks, known as Mr. Cub, became the first African-American on the Cubs roster.

References
  1. Haugh, David (July 24, 2013). "Edwards' rise in Garza trade an unlikely tale". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  2. Morris, Ron (September 13, 2014). "C.J. Edwards: The legend of the String Bean Slinger". The State. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  3. Muskat, Carrie (July 22, 2013). "Cubs land Rangers' Olt in package for Garza". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  4. Dykstra, Sam (October 23, 2013). "Edwards takes different route to MiLBY". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  5. "2014 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects: The 25th Edition". Baseball America. February 20, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  6. Gonzales, Mark (September 8, 2015). "Carl Edwards Jr. survives nerves for successful major-league debut". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  7. Gonzales, Mark (September 1, 2016). "Cubs' Carl Edwards Jr. takes big leap with 1st save". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  8. "Carl Edwards Register Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  9. Collier, Jamal (October 25, 2016). "Fowler Cubs' first African-American in Series: Center fielder will be first up in Game 1; Heyward, Edwards, Russell also honored by distinction". mlb.com. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  10. "Box Score: Game 3, 2016 World Series". Gameday. mlb.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  11. Wagner, James (November 3, 2016). "Carl Edwards Jr., the String Bean Slinger, Helps Cubs Get to the Finish Line". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  12. "Carl Edwards Jr. Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  13. Collier, Jamal (October 7, 2017). "Nationals homer, rally to beat Cubs in Game 2". MLB.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  14. "Carl Edwards Jr. Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  15. "Cubs Option Carl Edwards Jr. To Minors, Send Mike Montgomery To IL, Promote Kyle Ryan And Select Allen Webster". MLB Trade Rumors. April 6, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  16. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26686792/cubs-recall-reliever-edwards-triple-a
  17. "Padres get Edwards Jr. from Cubs for Wieck". MLB.com. July 31, 2019.
  18. Seattle Mariners (December 4, 2019). "Mariners Sign Free Agent RHP Carl Edwards Jr". MLB.com. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  19. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/matt-magill-carl-edwards-jr-nestor-cortes-jr-elect-free-agency.html
  20. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/braves-carl-edwards-jr-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html
  21. "Despite new fame and attention, Cubs pitcher C.J. Edwards remains same humble person". The State. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  22. https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20190405/brewers-manager-not-discouraged-over-amount-of-cubs-fans-at-miller-park
  23. Wittenmyer, Gordon (October 15, 2013). "Scout Found C.J. Edwards, 'The String Bean Slinger', Off The Beaten Path". Baseball America. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  24. "Men's Chicago Cubs Carl Edwards Jr. "Stringbean Slinger" Majestic Royal/Light Blue 2018 Players' Weekend Cool Base Jersey". Mlbshop.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
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