Justin Edwards
| IP | 547 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.887 |
| WHIP | 1.479 |
| BB/9 | 2.863 |
| SO/9 | 4.771 |
- Full name Justin S. Edwards
- Born 09/07/1987 in Orlando, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Olympia
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Drafted in the 3rd round (105th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2006 (signed for $310,000).
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Edwards and Carmine Giardina fronted Chet Lemon's Juice rotation, and Edwards won over scouts last summer when he repeatedly performed well on big stages on the summer showcase and tournament tour. He's undersized and his stuff isn't overpowering, but he was dominant at times against top prep hitters because of deft command and feel for above-average offerings in his curveball and changeup. Edwards, who has committed to Georgia, didn't fare as well this spring. Despite his 81-9 strikeout-walk ratio, his command wasn't as sharp as it had been, especially with his fastball. He maintains good arm speed on his changeup, which has late fade and sink. Edwards' breaking ball is a true curveball that isn't a present plus pitch but has lots of potential. His fastball was up to 90 mph last summer, but sat 84-87 mph most of the spring. He has a clean arm action, smooth, repeatable delivery and athleticism.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Edwards is a product of one of the nation's top youth programs, Chet Lemon's Juice, which the former big league all-star runs out of Sanford, Fla. Though he was drafted out of high school, he fits the White Sox' preference for polished pitchers over raw, high-ceiling gambles. Edwards turned down a scholarship from Georgia to sign for $310,000 after Chicago took him in the third round last June. While he displays an advanced feel for pitching, Edwards sometimes took his lumps while facing older hitters in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. He kept his poise throughout, prompting compliments about his maturity and approach. Edwards' fastball touched the low-90s during the summer showcase tour in 2005, but he settled in at 86-89 mph last year. It's still an effective pitch without plus velocity because it has nice life. His changeup and curveball have a chance to develop into plus pitches, and his smooth, repeatable delivery gives him good control. He's not big, so he's not very projectable and will have to work to keep the ball down in the zone. Edwards will spend his first full season in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Edwards caught the attention of scouts with a strong 2005 on the summer high school showcase and tournament circuit. Though his command and velocity dipped this spring, the White Sox still invested a third-round pick in him and signed him for a below-slot $310,000. At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Edwards isn't overpowering. He relies on advanced command of a lively 86-89 mph fastball, and feel for a promising curveball and a changeup. Above all, the White Sox are encouraged by Edwards' ability to locate his pitches and his smooth, repeatable delivery. "For an 18-year-old, he really goes about his business like a 20- or 21-year old," Bristol manager Nick Leyva said. "He's really mature off the field and on. And that maturity is a great thing to have."
