Reluctant reliever took off once he embraced new role
It was more than just hitting the reset button or taking a deep breath.
For Carl Edwards Jr., his reassignment to the Cubs minor-league camp with nearly three weeks and 27 pitchers left in spring training in 2015 sent a message to the organization’s top pitching prospect that it was in his best interests to accept his switch from starter to reliever.
“I was mentally not thinking about being a reliever,” Edwards recalled. “I was so into starting that I told myself if I relieve, I couldn’t do this and that. But then I started taking pride in being a reliever and just accepting it. The transition happened on its own. When I started being successful, I started feeling comfortable. It was more like telling myself I can do it. “Now I’m here.” And now i t wil l be tough for the Cubs to keep Edwards, 25, off the postseason roster even as he’s being treated with kid gloves.
Since being promoted from Triple-A Iowa on June 20, he has pitched on backto-back days only in his third and fourth appearances June 28-29. Yet Edwards has had steady success while gradually taking on bigger assignments.
“I knew if I came in and did what I had to do, I’d have a chance,” Edwards said.
His numbers are impressive. After Sunday’s win over the Cardinals, in 33 innings over 33 games, he has given up just 14 hits and issued only 13 walks. He has 48 strikeouts. He has given up just three home runs, one in his first game this season on June 22, and two others in his worst outing on Sept. 17.
Edwards has met the challenge nearly every time he has been put into a key situation, whether it’s facing All-Star slugger Albert Pujols with a game on the line or appearing in a save situation for the first time.
“To me, it’s mind-blowing,” Edwards said of facing the likes of All-Stars Yoenis Cespedes, Buster Posey, Mike Trout and Pujols. “I have so much to learn. As of now, I try not to look at them, especially the big names.
“I’m here for a reason, and they’re here for a reason. My thing is to get them out, keep us in the lead or tied or just give us a chance.”
Edwards’ acceptance of his role crystallized after he finally convinced himself it was best for his career. He also received some positive reinforcement from player development officials.
Edwards’ success could make it easier for future Cubs prospects to accept position and/or role changes.
“We’ve had a lot of discussions and examples of players who have made the conversion, whether it’s from the infield to catcher or from position player to pitcher,” said Tim Cossins, the Cubs field coordinator.
“For Edwards, the commitment and convincing “had to come from both sides,” Cossins said. “But in the end, it’s always about the adjustment the player makes.”
While Edwards admitted to some nerves before converting his first save opportunity Sept. 1 against the Giants, harnessing the wildness on his 96-mph fastball and tumbling curve have made him more effective and reliable.
“He’s way different than he was last year,” said Willson Contreras, who started catching Edwards last season at Double-A Tennessee. “He has great command of his fastball, especially on the low, outside corner. I don’t know what he has been doing, but he has done well.
“Sometimes he speeds things up, but that’s part of my job — to make sure he keeps the ball down and he keeps calm. We’re pretty much on the same page every time I’m catching him. It’s a lot easier.”
It helps that Edwards retains advice dating back to his days in the Rangers’ organization. Edwards has credited former minor-league pitching coach Danny Clark on his emphasis locating his fastball on the low, outside corner — even when falling behind on the count.
That pitch helped him strike out Brandon Phillips in the 11th inning of a 15-inning victory against the Reds in Cincinnati on Aug. 28, and he struck out Cespedes four nights later at Citi Field.
Edwards said his majorleague debut against the Cardinals on Sept. 7, 2015, gave him a big sample of what to expect in the majors, playing in front of a large crowd at Busch Stadium against a rival.
Edwards pitched a scoreless inning in his debut and showed more promise last spring, even though there were no openings on the major-league roster.
But when the Cubs needed an extra reliever, they promoted Edwards and discovered they could have a future closer.
And Edwards has simulated those situations with sports psychologist Ken Ravizza.
“We worked on breathing, with situations in the game,” Edwards said. “It’s the World Series, with two out, runner at second with a 1-0 count. (Count) five, four, three, two, one — pitch the ball, get the ball back, think briefly about the pitch and get back on the mound and take a deep breath.’ ”