As for Edwards, Fitt thinks he made a good decision in coming back for 2008.
Except for the win-loss record, Edwards’ numbers are similar to 2007. He’s 3-3 (3-0 in 2007) heading into a huge weekend series with Kansas to end the regular season, a series that could determine whether the Wildcats make the conference tournament. His earned-run average of 2.48 is up from 2.27 last year, his walks currently are the same (13) and he has 43 strikeouts (49 a year ago).
“It probably made sense for him to go back (to K-State),” Fitt said. “Unless you make a lot of money, you might as well get another year of experience and try and get your degree.”
David Denny, who was Edwards’ high school coach in Kingwood, Texas, said Edwards was torn about what to do. Denny said Edwards felt like he had unfinished business with the Wildcats, such as helping them make their first NCAA Tournament, and that made it easier to return when the money didn’t meet his expectations.
“I told him to go with his gut,” said Denny, who played on Texas’ national championship team in 1983, “and he did. He made the right choice. I didn’t have the burning passion to succeed after college (Denny played one year in the Phillies’ organization). Daniel’s got the talent and the passion.”
And he’s a risk-taker, based on the choice to remain a Wildcat. But Bannister, who may have taken a risk by staying at Southern California for his senior year after he got drafted in the 45th round by Boston as a junior, doesn’t see it that way. He suffered an injury in college, and thought the extra year would do him good, including a chance to get his diploma.
“It is a big risk,” said Bannister, who made it worthwhile when the New York Mets tabbed him in the seventh round after his senior year. “It is a tough decision.”
Baseball differs from basketball and football when it comes to leaving school early, Bannister believes.
“Baseball’s the one sport where really how you’re regarded as a prospect is directly correlated to your age,” he said. “Like for me, even though you go to the minor leagues and you have success right away, the immediate response is, ‘Oh, he’s just older than the league.’
“So all of a sudden you’re discredited right away. So then you tend to get pushed a little bit quicker whether it’s skipping a level or just being promoted at a faster rate because you are a college grad and they feel your clock is running out a little quicker.”
The decision to stay at Alabama worked for Cormier, who was in town last week with the Orioles. He got drafted in the 10th round by Houston in 2001, but went in the fourth round the following year to Arizona.
“There was no pressure for me as a senior,” said Cormier, who asked for $100,000 from the Astros, got offered $53,000, and said no thanks. “I just came back and played. Had fun. Had confidence in myself I wasn’t going to have a down year. (Cormier started 8-0 as a senior.)
“I ended up getting $100,000 from the Diamondbacks. I wanted more, but I knew I couldn’t negotiate because I was a senior. That was the only negative, not having bargaining power. Teams can low-ball you.”
Edwards understands that now. He has no idea where he may get drafted or by whom or how much they will offer. The Indians continue to show interest, according to Edwards, but so do the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia.
Now that he has added a changeup to his repertoire, Edwards hopes it boosts his stock. He is convinced he locates his fastball, which has topped out at 91 mph, better than he did as a junior. Instead of being a thrower in the past, able to blow it by batters, Edwards now considers himself a pitcher.
In time, some pro team will determine Edwards’ fate. It is in their hands. Edwards knows it. He may feel a bit helpless. But that was his choice.
“I just want to be treated fairly,” Edwards said. “I want to just get a shot to play. I wouldn’t mind some sort of reward for the work it takes to pitch at the next level and for the time I’ve put into the game of baseball. I’ve heard some teams will give you fair money, and some that just draft you and send you off.
“I just want my performance to speak for itself.”
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