Mason Edwards, the star pitcher for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans, has officially signed with the Oakland Athletics, marking the end of his college baseball career.
The move was expected following Edwards' selection by the Athletics in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft earlier this month. He became the first USC player to be picked in the first two rounds since 2009.
Edwards finished the 2026 season with a stellar record of 8-0 and a 2.07 ERA. He also broke a 25-year record by striking out 169 batters, the most by a USC pitcher since Mark Prior in 2001.
Per Martín Gallegos of MLB.com, Edwards' deal with the Athletics includes a signing bonus of $2.4 million, slightly above the slot value for the pick.
Edwards is the first of USC's 2026 draft picks to sign. The remaining three Trojans, Augie Lopez, Grant Govel, and Adam Troy, have until Monday to decide whether they want to turn professional or return to college baseball for another year.
Edwards' impressive performance on the mound earned him first-team All-American honors last month, the first Trojan to achieve this feat in 11 years.
The signing marks a significant moment for the Athletics, who are looking to build their pitching staff. Edwards is expected to join the team's minor league affiliate, where he will continue to develop his skills before potentially making his major league debut.
The Athletics' decision to sign Edwards is a testament to their faith in his abilities. With his impressive statistics and All-American honors, Edwards is expected to make an impact in the Athletics' organization.
The remaining three USC draft picks will now face a crucial decision: whether to turn professional and start their careers with the Athletics or return to college baseball for another year.
Source: Yahoo Sports
