| Player: Mason Edwards | |||||||||||
| School: USC | Position(s): LHP | ||||||||||
| Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 190 lbs. | Bats: Left | Throws: Left | ||||||||
| Summary: Surreal. Really the only appropriate way to describe what we’ve seen from Mason Edwards to open the 2026 season. The Trojans came into the spring with high hopes for their staff, but few could dream up what they’ve put together in the first five weeks of 2026. As of the time of this writing, Edwards has logged 30 innings, allowing only 6 hits with 52 k’s and a 0.30 ERA. It took until his 5th start to surrender an earned run. Edwards was certainly an intriguing prospect coming into 2026, but the jump from 2025 to now would have been hard to foresee. What’s changed? Edwards has seen a jump in velocity, specifically where his range sits. He is now comfortably sitting 92-93 mph (reaching 96 mph) with the fastball, a 2-3 mph bump from last year. The southpaw’s heater doesn’t play there however. Stuff + reports from Developing Baseball have indicated significant carry on the pitch in each of his first five starts. With a 30 percent miss rate on his fastball last season, Edwards has a chance to end up north of that in 2026…its been that good. The breaking ball has also seen a makeover. Edwards traded his traditional slider grip for a spike curve that has produced an increase in velocity (83-84 mph) and a pitch now spinning in the 2500-2600 rpm range. The pitch is causing a lot of chase, particularly out of the zone. The reason? Edwards tunnels all three of his offerings incredibly well. The change up, like his other two offerings, has seen an uptick in velocity. It’s a pitch he can land for a strike and induce swing and miss, however, it has not been a consistent go to for him. Something to watch if he remains a starter at the pro level. His delivery is deceptive. From the windup, Edwards rocks with a step back to the third base side and into a drop and drive delivery. The arm action is long, reaching back with his hand dropping below his drive leg. With the arm speed he produces, its a lot for a hitter to track. Coupled with the improved fastball showing plus ride and a breaking ball spinning at a higher rate, its not difficult to see why Edwards has taken off. He is one of the more intriguing follows in the 2026 draft. Just how far you could rise is still to be determined. Based on what he’s shown in the early season, he’s got a chance to be one of the top collegiate LHP’s this July. | |||||||||||
Eric Dillinger is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Erie High School, entering his 4th season as the Head Coach and 9th season overall. Dillinger was the pitching coach at Erie prior to becoming head coach. At the club level, he has coached nationally for multiple organizations including the Colorado Yard Dawgs, the Colorado Rockies Scout program, and USA Prime. Dillinger is also currently the General Manager for D-BAT NW Denver. In addition to his duties as GM, he is also a senior pitching instructor. He is certified in Rapsodo Pitching and is also Driveline Certified (Pitch Design). Beyond coaching on the field, Dillinger enjoys helping athletes in the recruiting process. He has helped over 40 athletes find homes at the next level.
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