Saint John’s University has something to celebrate. Freshman Max Edwards from Rockford, Minnesota, just earned two big honors: D3baseball.com Region 9 Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year. This is a remarkable achievement, especially as he is the first player in the MIAC to win both awards in the same season.
Since 2010, the SJU baseball team has seen 44 players honored as All-Region selections. Edwards is only the second of these players to receive the Rookie of the Year title from D3baseball.com, following Wyatt Ulrich’s win in 2017. He is also the first Johnnie to claim the region’s Pitcher of the Year award.
This season, Edwards has shown outstanding performance on the mound, with a record of 6-3 and a remarkable 2.01 ERA. Opponents have struggled against him, hitting just .180. In an impressive 62.2 innings, he struck out 61 batters across 11 appearances, starting eight of them. His numbers reflect the growing importance of analytics in capturing player performance—metrics that are becoming crucial in today’s game analysis.
Looking at the broader picture, Edwards’ efficiency is evidenced by his rankings: fifth in NCAA Division III for ERA (1.16), seventh for WHIP (0.85), and thirteenth for hits allowed per nine innings (4.97). In conference play, he also led with two shutouts and ranked second in ERA at 1.67. As more teams leverage technology and data to enhance their strategies, Edwards stands out with his traditional skill set and modern analytics.
This spring, the Johnnies finished third in the MIAC with a solid 13-7 record and an overall 28-16, marking their 16th straight trip to the MIAC Tournament. First-year head coach Scott Lieser deserves recognition for leading the team through a challenging season.
These achievements highlight the strength of the SJU baseball program and its impact on the student-athlete experience. As the sport evolves, players like Edwards pave the way for future talents, showing just what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.
For more on baseball awards, check out the releases from D3baseball.com and the ABCA.
