ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Carl Edwards Jr. is no stranger to the big moment. The former Cubs relief pitcher played a crucial role in their unforgettable 2016 World Series run, helping break a 108-year title drought. Edwards pitched 0.2 innings of the ninth inning in Game 7 — arguably the most pressure-packed moment imaginable in baseball. While he was taken out before the final out, his two key outs were vital in securing the Cubs' championship win.
At just 24 years old, Edwards posted a 3.75 ERA across 36+ innings that season. He followed it up with two strong years, each with a sub-3.00 ERA over 52+ innings, solidifying himself as one of the league’s more reliable high-leverage relievers. After a tough three-year stretch, Edwards earned a redemption shot with the Nationals in 2022, where he bounced back with a 2.76 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 62 innings.
Fast forward to 2025, and Edwards has battled his way back to the majors. After posting a 4.11 ERA in the minors in 2024, he's off to a strong start this year with a 1.54 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 11.2 innings pitched for the Salt Lake City Bees (AAA). Angels manager Ron Washington spoke about Edwards' track record before Wednesday’s game: "He was throwing the ball well. He’s experienced. Will be nice to add some more experience in the bullpen to go along with Jansen.”
Edwards — who’s had just two seasons with an ERA above 3.69 — brings much-needed stability to an Angels bullpen that’s struggled early. The team holds the third-worst bullpen ERA in the majors at 5.45, with Garret McDaniels (5.14 ERA in 7 IP), Brock Burke (5.79 ERA in 9.1 IP), Ryan Johnson (6.00 ERA in 9 IP), and Ben Joyce (6.23 ERA in 4.1 IP, currently injured) all having rough stretches.
It’s worth noting that much of that damage came from one or two particularly rough outings — especially in the cases of Johnson and Burke, who’ve shown flashes of promise. Only Ryan Zeferjahn (4.05 ERA and 14 K in 6.2 IP) and Kenley Jansen (5 saves, 0.00 ERA in 7 IP) have been consistently reliable. Edwards will look to join that group and provide a steady presence.
On joining the Angels, Edwards said before Wednesday’s game: "I'm excited to get here and know the guys. Feels good to be on the team. I’ve played with [Kyle] Hendricks and [Jorge] Soler, know a lot of guys here. And played against a lot of guys here too.
Both Hendricks (4.50 ERA in 20 IP this season) and Soler (.262 with an OPS of .783 on the season) were teammates with Edwards on that 2016 Cubs squad and bring championship experience of their own — with Soler also winning a title and World Series MVP with the Braves in 2021. Edwards emphasized how valuable that kind of background is: “Something called championship DNA. Helps with all these guys being there. We got goals and expectations.”
That mindset will be crucial for an Angels team trying to end their playoff drought, which dates back to 2014. Edwards also mentioned he’s sticking with the same pitch mix he’s used for most of his career, with the addition of a changeup that helped him earn his call-up. Reflecting on his success in Triple-A, he said: “Me being myself, not trying to do more than I needed to do. Whatever got me ready. I had different roles. I was starting then relief, finishing games — I think that’s when it really clicked.”.
Edwards threw one inning of relief against the Pirates on Wednesday night and gave up one earned run. He walked the first batter and allowed an RBI Single before getting three consecutive outs in his Angels debut. If Edwards can return to the form he showed in 2022, the Angels may have found a much-needed hidden gem to help anchor their bullpen this season.