From Chicago’s South Side to Major League draft pick
After moving from the Windy City, Kea’Von Edwards has quietly developed into one of the state’s top baseball players at Putnam City, a Coastal Carolina signee and one of two high school draft picks.
TULSA — Kea’Von Edwards was not going to get the same childhood as his father.
He was almost 9 years old in Chicago’s South Side. He wasn’t to the point he was struggling, but things were rough with violence and negativity all around.
Ken Edwards had seen that growing up and was now worried about raising Kea’Von and his brother in the same atmosphere.
So, they left, searching for something better in Oklahoma City.
“To save his life,” Ken Edwards said.
Nine years later, Kea’Von quietly developed into one of the state’s top baseball players at Putnam City, a Coastal Carolina signee and one of two high school draft picks.
He played Tuesday in the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Game at Oral Roberts University, tripling in two runs.
“It really hasn’t sunk in yet, but like the director said it’s an honor to be here,” Edwards said. “I think that can explain itself.”
Edwards’ life was changed with the move, but first he had to have some help.
He had played baseball since he was 3, mainly for fun. But then he met Ron Cox, the director of the youth leagues at Dolese Park who helped find Edwards a team each year.
Then each spring and fall other teams continued to call for Edwards. He started participating in Perfect Game showcases. He developed into a slick-fielding middle infielder with speed and a little pop.
“His baseball game has grown just like he did,” Ken Edwards said.
Yet Kea’Von was largely unknown across the state.
He played his junior season at Southmoore after beginning high school at Putnam City. He moved back to Putnam City for his senior season and hit .404 with five home runs, five triples, 14 doubles, 20 steals and 32 RBIs.
MLB scouts were constantly at his games closely watching his development.
“I saw an athletic kid that loved baseball and had a tremendous work ethic that I knew was going to develop into a pretty good baseball player,” Putnam City coach Kevin Paxson said. “I think he hit his stride his senior year.”
That led to Edwards signing with Coastal Carolina over the summer, and the university’s national championship was just “icing on the cake.”
But that wasn’t the end of Edwards’ quick rise.
He was on his mom’s couch in Chicago on June 11 when he thought of turning off the computer.
The MLB Draft had just 10 of 40 rounds remaining. Only one high school player from Oklahoma had been chosen so far, and there was little reason for Edwards to think his name would be called.
Then he heard it on the webcast.
Tampa Bay Rays. Round 30. No. 900 overall.
Edwards high-fived his family and they exchanged hugs in the living room of the city he left nine years before.
A decision was later made to attend Coastal Carolina and try the draft in three years, but a better future had finally arrived.
“I’m glad that road was given to me and I traveled upon it,” Edwards said. “It put me in a good situation. I’ve always been the underdog, under the radar. It made me work harder and strive for more.”