September 3rd, 2013 at 5:55 am 
by Harold Uhlman The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes gained a wild card spot in the California League on Sunday. They did so with a strong start by Lindsay Caughel, a game winning hit by Chris O’Brien and a close out by closer Craig Stem. There was another hero in that game, kind of an unknown soldier. Edwin Carl bridged the gap between Caughel and Stem with two innings of hitless ball while striking out three.
Edwin Carl is not a familiar name to most Dodger fans, having just arrived in Rancho Cucamonga early in August. The 6’-0″ 210 lb. right hander turned 25 on Saturday, August 31 and was not promoted from within the Dodger system. Carl apparently was spotted in the Frontier Independent League by the Dodgers and his contract was purchased from the Schaumburg Boomers making him the first player from that team to have his contract purchased by a major league organization.
Since his arrival with the Quakes last month, Carl has posted a 1-1 record with an outstanding 1.17 ERA. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Carl was initially drafted by the Kansas City Royals and began his professional baseball career with Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League. He played for four years in the Royals system before being released in July of this year. Pitching mostly in relief, he did start 13 games while compiling a 14-8 W-L record with a 3.36 ERA. Of greater interest was his strikeout record. In his four years he struck out 242 in 209 innings and walked 55. In his rookie year Carl struck out 71 in 33 innings.
After just two successful starts with the Schaumburg Boomers the Dodgers moved in to acquire his contract. Although he had pitched as high as AA in the Kansas City system, he was assigned to high A Rancho Cucamonga.
Since his arrival Carl has quietly put up some impressive numbers with the Quakes. In his 11 appearances he has pitched 15.1 innings, giving up 10 hits, walking 7 and striking out 24. His ERA is 1.17 and BAA .182.
Edwin Carl may be late to the dance at age 25. However, I am pleased he is dancing with the Quakes giving the bullpen an extra reliable arm. It would be my hope that he joins the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2014 along with fellow Frontier League pitcher Geoff Brown presently pitching for the Great Lakes Loons. His Schaumburg manager speaks well of him: “A well deserved opportunity for Edwin Carl,” said Boomers Manager Jamie Bennett. “He is a very talented young man and has been an asset both on the field and in the clubhouse in his time with the Boomers.”
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I’ve see Carl pitch on two occasions and both times he looked very sharp and did not allow a run. He seems to have better control than Craig Stem and I would actually prefer to see him in the closer role over Stem – but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
At 25 years old, Edwin’s MLB clock has probably already passed him by (with the Dodgers, that is) and I would anticipate him beginning the 2014 season at Double-A Chattanooga – roster space permitting.
With a name like Edwin Carl, he was destined to be in the Dodger organization – kind of like Edwin “Duke” Snider and Carl Furillo.
Duke and Carl – a good connection.
He is just following his dream having gone the independent league upon his release by Kansas City. He obviously has miss bat stuff and it is a bit difficult to see why the Royals released him unless their minor league staffs are very full and quite good.
He has made a significant contribution with the Quakes. It would have been perhaps better if he had been assigned to the Lookouts but they have long been well out of playoff contention. Although winning minor league titles is not a priority, I do believe it was a consideration in placing Carl on the Quakes to bolster the relief core.
Good photo of him.