Chicago Cubs RHP prospect C.J. Edwards named Minor League Pitcher of the Year

Chicago Cubs right-hander C.J. Edwards helped the Class-A Advanced Cubs’ affiliate Daytona Cubs to a Florida state league title and was named the Minor League Baseball Pitcher of the Year, early Wednesday morning.

Edwards, 22, was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 48th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft out of Mid-Carolina High School in Prosperity, South Carolina. He joined the Cubs on July 22, 2013 along with Mike Olt and Justin Grimm in a trade for Matt Garza.

In six starts with Daytona he posted a 1.96 ERA, struck out 33, and gave up just 14 hits in 23 innings.

Edwards, the Cubs’ No. 11 prospect, was starting pitcher for Daytona’s 4-0 victory over Charlotte to give the Cubs the Florida state League championship trophy. He struck out the first seven batters in his second postseason start. In his previous start, he struck out eight over five hitless innings in a 4-0 Game 2 win against Dunedin.

He wields an above-average fastball and has the ability to put some spin on a breaking ball and movement on his changeup. His long and lean, 6-foot-2 frame and delivery makes it difficult for batters.

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