Edwards Thrilled To ‘Finish’ What His Dad Started

Brayden Edwards LHP / OF / South Windsor, CT / 2026

SOUTH WINDSOR, Ct. - Inspiration from his father was a big factor in the decision to pursue college baseball for Brayden Edwards.

“My dad got me into baseball,” the eighth-rated 2026 left-handed pitcher in New England reflected. “He coached me until I was 14 years old. We won Legion 13U when he was coaching me, that was my biggest memory with him.”

But it was what his father, Travis, did at a young age that made a big impression on Edwards.

“My dad played college baseball at Central for one year,” Edwards explained. “But his dad died and he had to make the decision to focus on school and take care of his mom. That inspired me to finish what he started.”

Mission accomplished, with the South Windsor High School junior now a Central Connecticut State commit.

“I played in front of them a few weeks ago with my fall team,” the 27th-ranked junior in Connecticut related. “They said they’d seen me before at a Legion showcase. I was interested in them since my dad played there one year and it’s close to home.

“I ended up going there on an unofficial visit the first week of October. I took a tour and went in the coach’s office and he said we can move your recruitment as fast as I wanted.”

An offer came on Oct. 11.

“I slept on it for a week and talked to my family about it,” Edwards said. “It was the best decision for me.”

UMass Amherst was also being considered by the 65th-ranked 2026 in New England, but it was Central Connecticut State that made the most since according to Edwards.

“I really like the campus and the coaching staff,” the 16-year-old noted. “I fell in love with the coaching staff. They’re going to give me the opportunity to be a two-way.”

It is something that stood out to Central about the 5-10 160-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher.

“The way rosters are changing the value of being a two-way is something they like,” Edwards explained. “They like my speed in the outfield and that I can command four pitches on the mound.”

Ironically, Central was not one of the schools that initially showed interest in Edwards on Aug. 1, the first day that college coaches could make contact with players in the 2026 class.

“I heard from a few right away, UMass and Richmond,” Edwards related. “I was really interested in Central Connecticut but I didn’t hear from them. I was kind of bummed about that, but then I got an opportunity to play in front of them and the rest is history.”

It completed a baseball journey that had Edwards thinking about playing at the next level in eighth grade.

“When I went to the Future 50 I really thought I could do this,” Edwards said. “I saw I could compete with guys my age and I fell in love with the process. Then I had a good sophomore season and my coach started reaching out to schools. I did a bunch of Prep Baseball events to set myself up nicely to help with my recruitment. I knew I’d have some interest on Aug. 1, I just didn’t know how much. Prep Baseball was a big part of it.”

Going from 5-8 and 150 pounds to 5-11 and 165 over the past year also benefited the cause.

“Getting bigger and stronger helped a lot,” the fourth-rated junior left-handed pitcher in Connecticut noted. “I’d always been athletic, but putting on size really helped.”

Edwards is confident about making an impact at the university located just 25 minutes from home.

“I’m athletic and will be able to help the team in many different ways,” Edwards explained. “In the outfield, with my speed, and on the mound. I’m a competitive person. That’s what the Central program is about, gritty players.”

Edwards, who also credited the South Windsor American Legion program with playing an important role in his recruitment, looks forward to his days ahead at Central where the 3.7 student plans to major in sport management or exercise science.

“I’m excited to be a student-athlete and excited to be part of the Central program,” Edwards concluded. “They’ve had a lot of success the last few years and I want to help them in any way I can, in the outfield or on the mound.”