“I do know one thing, and one thing that’s a fact: It won’t happen again,” Edwards stated May 10.
So far, Edwards has made good on that pledge: He hasn’t allowed a run in 12 outings since. He has given up solely two hits throughout that stretch. He has walked six batters — however has struck out 12.
Success on the main league degree isn’t new to Edwards. He was a part of the bullpen that helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016. But after showing in 131 video games with the Cubs over the subsequent two seasons, he was dealt to the San Diego Padres on the commerce deadline in 2019. He made 5 aid appearances with the Seattle Mariners in 2020 and 7 extra in 2021 between the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays, coping with belly and indirect accidents all of the whereas.
Edwards signed a minor league contract with the Nationals in February. When he began the season with Class AAA Rochester, the Braves offered him with a World Series ring earlier than a minor league sport though he recorded just one out for the staff.
“It feels different because I was with the Cubs and it was a 108-year curse,” Edwards stated Thursday about receiving a ring from the Braves. “I reached out to [the Braves] and told them thank you but, you know, I wasn’t there.”
Another likelihood with Washington reunited him with some acquainted faces — Manager Dave Martinez and pitching coach Jim Hickey — who labored with him whereas he was in Chicago. Martinez and Hickey stated they knew Edwards could be a useful bullpen arm if he may keep wholesome and pound the strike zone. He didn’t make the Opening Day roster, however when he gave up one run over 14⅓ innings with Rochester, the Nationals gave him a shot.
He has thrown a career-high 53.2 p.c of his pitches within the strike zone; the main league common is 48.5 p.c. His success contained in the zone has arrange his pitches exterior of it — he has gotten batters to make contact with 65.4 p.c of the pitches exterior of the zone, 7 share factors increased than the MLB common.
“When we were in Chicago, [then-manager] Joe Maddon was convinced that he would, at some point, be the closer and all he had to do was get into the strike zone,” Hickey stated. “And you can see, when he is in the strike zone, he’s really, really difficult to hit.”
Edwards mixes a fastball with a pure slicing motion that tops out round 96 mph with a curveball. He has added a change-up to his arsenal this yr. It at all times has been a pitch Edwards may throw, nevertheless it was one he didn’t resolve to begin utilizing in video games till this yr.
Hickey stated the pitch nearly features like a sinker as a result of he throws it at 90 mph and referred to as the pitch “a weapon to induce groundballs,” which helps maintain his pitch rely down.
“Two, three, four years ago, he would have been looking for two [or] three strikeouts, and it would have been 23 pitches, 24 pitches,” Hickey stated. “And then that impacts your availability for tomorrow or to go two innings. So [the change-up has] made them a little bit more efficient, but also he’s made himself more efficient with the better strike-throwing.”
Edwards rapidly has turn out to be considered one of Martinez’s most trusted relievers. On Saturday with the Nationals trailing by one, Martinez stated he referred to as right down to the bullpen to see if Edwards was out there. He agreed to come back in, though Martinez had deliberate to not use him as a result of he had pitched a lot just lately. The Nationals ultimately gained the sport.
Aside from his efficiency on the sector, Hickey stated he has seen a new degree of focus from Edwards.
“I think you see just a little bit of a maturation as a pitcher, as a person,” Hickey stated. “And he’s been a 2016 world champion, an integral part of that team, to being in the minor leagues. So it gives him a little bit of perspective.”
Hickey stated some gamers take being within the majors without any consideration, pondering they’ll be there for 10 years after they arrive at a younger age.
Edwards stated he has realized a lot since he was a younger pitcher for the Cubs. But for him, success boils right down to having fun with himself and never worrying in regards to the final result. If it doesn’t go his manner, he’ll reset for the subsequent day.
“Just going out there and having fun playing the game,” Edwards stated of his strategy. “Just not taking nothing for granted. That’s all we can do. It’s only so much we can control, and I just control what I can control and let everything else play itself [out].”