Chicago Cubs news: Carl Edwards Jr. appreciates his experience

Edwards makes the decision to forego college

After his best friend’s death, Edwards skipped college and went pro. He played in the Independent League, one nicknamed the “Bush league.” He was with his father and his uncle. Then a scout saw him and had him go to some camps shortly before the 2011 draft. He did so, and ultimately the Rangers took a flyer on him late. No risk for Texas.

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There were no expectations placed on Edwards. In fact, in 2013, when the time came for the Rangers to acquire a “real” talent like Matt Garza, Edwards packed his bags for Chicago. No one really knew that the biggest piece to that trade was “The String Bean Slinger.”

In 2016, Edwards dazzled fans with his strikeouts. He had a 13 K/9 ratio, amazing considering how skinny he is. He also has a great curveball, which makes his 95 miles per hour fastball seem that much faster.

That fastball of his has a cutting action, so even though it seems every pitcher throws 95, the difficulty of hitting his is higher. His changeup is pretty good as well. With those three pitches, he gives hitters different location and varying speeds, keeping them off-balance.

Edwards’ stuff makes him a candidate for the closer’s job. Yes, the Cubs have Wade Davis and Hector Rondon who are closers, but I see Edwards as the closer of the future. He still needs to gain more command of his pitches, but his ability is there.

To further that point, Edwards mentioned that he’s looking at film of the great Mariano Rivera. Rivera is a once-in-a-lifetime player, I agree, but Edwards couldn’t learn from a better source than the Hall-of-Fame closer. Also, Edwards has similar make-up. He is ultra-competitive on the mound.