JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State junior Christian Edwards was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

Edwards was taken by the American League club in the 11th round. With Edwards' selection, JSU has had a draft pick in the amateur draft in four the last five seasons and is the program's first draftee since the New York Mets claimed Nic Gaddis in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Edwards also becomes Jax State's 66th player to be selected by one of MLB's organizations. He becomes the third Gamecock picked by the White Sox, joining former players Todd Altaffer (1990) and Roger Mayo (1975).

Edwards, regarded as one of the top pitchers in the Ohio Valley Conference, finished 2021 with the second-best earned run average in the league at 2.48. He led the conference in ERA against league opposition with a 2.02 mark, earning him a spot on the All-OVC First Team. He was also named to the 2021 Southeast-American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Region Second Team.

The Hartselle, Alabama native made the move from closers role to JSU's Friday night starter in 2021. The Hartselle, Alabama right hander made 12 appearances on the season with 11 starts. Edwards accumulated 83 strikeouts in 69.0 innings on the season. He posted a 5-2 record, including three wins against OVC foes. Edwards allowed 19 earned runs and opposing batters hit .175 against him in 2021.