Chicago Cubs News: Schwarber, Edwards named to MLB Futures Game roster

Cubs sent two participants to MLB Futures game

The Chicago Cubs will have two participants in the MLB Futures game although one of them has already been present for a short stay. Kyle Schwarber and Carl Edwards Jr. will play for the U.S. team against the World team in the minor-league exhibition that takes place before the MLB All-Star game.

Schwarber recently had a brief six-game call-up in which he hit .363 with a home run and six RBIs. The brief stay was the plan as he’ll return to continue his work behind the plate, as well as see some time in the outfield. What was clear is that his bat is Major League ready now. In roughly the equivalent of a season (133 games) in the minors, he’s slashed .329/.427/.605 with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs. Those are Kris Bryant like numbers.

Edwards was recently promoted to Triple-A Iowa and moved to the bullpen. A starter for most of his career, the Cubs believe a bullpen role is his fast-track to Chicago. The expectation is for him to move back to a starter at some point. In 11 innings at Iowa, he’s struck out 12 while posting a 3.27 ERA with one save. He has walked eight, however, which is a little concerning. The biggest knock on Edwards is his size. At 6-foot-3 and only 170 pounds, some question his durability over the rigorous 162 game schedule.

We’ve already gotten a look at Schwarber, and it’s very possible we could see Edwards later this year. The Cubs aren’t heavily stacked with pitching talent, and Edwards is one of the few that is near a call-up. The Futures game is a highlight of the upcoming stars in baseball, and the Cubs have become regulars with multiple participants.

But at the rate things are going, the talent is moving fast and could start bypassing the Futures game and make their way right to Chicago. It’s not out of the question. Schwarber almost did.

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