USC pitcher Mason Edwards officially became an Athletic on Saturday, getting picked 47th overall in the second round of the MLB Draft, a move that feels like a serious steal for a guy with his kind of college numbers. Everyone was buzzing about Edwards as a potential first-round talent, so to see him still available at 47? That had to be a huge sigh of relief for the Athletics' front office. He might have slipped a bit from the hype, but let's be real, this is still the highest-drafted Trojan we've seen since way back in 2009. That's a big deal.
Edwards' College Dominance Was Next Level
Seriously, you gotta look at what Mason Edwards did in his final season for USC. The dude finished 2026 with a perfect 8-0 record. An undefeated season! Not only that, he posted an absolutely filthy 2.07 ERA. That kind of efficiency and command is what makes scouts drool. But here's the kicker, the stat that really pops: Edwards racked up an insane 169 strikeouts. One hundred sixty-nine! That's not just a good number, that's historically good. We haven't seen a USC pitcher punch out that many batters since Mark Prior did it all the way back in 2001. Think about that for a second. Twenty-five years later, and Edwards is putting up those kinds of legendary numbers. It's no surprise he earned first-team All-American honors, becoming the first Trojan to do so in 11 years. This kid was dominating college baseball, plain and simple.The Athletics' Future Is Getting Interesting With This Pick
This draft pick also comes with a wild backdrop for the Athletics organization. After more than half a century calling Oakland home, they're currently in their second season playing in Sacramento. Yeah, Sacramento. But that's not the end game. The plan is to move to Las Vegas before the end of the decade, and it's pretty much a given that by the time Mason Edwards makes his way to the major leagues, he'll be pitching in Sin City. This isn't just about drafting a talented arm; it's about drafting a cornerstone piece for a franchise that's going through some massive changes. Landing a guy like Edwards, with his pedigree and those eye-popping stats, could be a huge part of building a new identity in a new city. You have to wonder what kind of impact he could have on a team looking to make a fresh start. The MLB Draft isn't over yet, though. The remaining 16 rounds are going down on Sunday. We'll definitely be keeping an eye out to see if any more Trojans hear their names called and join Edwards in the professional ranks.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.