NEW YORK – Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards hasn’t been in “The Show” for a full season and he already has a favorite moment.
It was July 28 of last year against the Brewers: Edwards recorded the second cycle in club history. The gamer was special because he was able to hit his first career home run against right-hander Tobias Myers in the first inning.
“It was the first home run of my [Major League] life,” Edwards said. “I’m not a huge power guy. I homered that day and it ended up being a good one. I never hit for the cycle in amateur ball or Minor Leagues, anywhere. For me to do it in the Major Leagues is pretty special.”
Xavier Edwards Is A Rising Star For Miami Marlins: Jazz Chisholm Who?
Edwards had more than one great game. He became the Marlins’ leadoff hitter after they traded Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees last July. It turned out that Edwards became Miami’s igniter, hitting .300 with 24 stolen bases and a .370 on-base percentage.
His success in the batter’s box has carried over into this season. In fact, Edwards is one of the reasons the Marlins have given opponents a tough time, thus far. They are a surprising 6-6 and, entering Friday’s action against the Nationals, Edwards is 13-for-46 [.283] with an on-base percentage of .370 and three stolen bases. According to manager Clayton McCullough, Edwards is more than just a hitter; he is showing signs of improvements with the glove.
“He has an innate ability to know the strike zone,” McCullough told MLBbro.com. “X has incredible bat-to-ball skills and he has enough thump in his bat where outfielders have to respect him. He is also able to slash some line drives around and split a gap. He is a threat on the bases.
“Defensively, to this point, he has made some really nice strides from what he was doing last year. He is going after the ball more aggressively.”
Xavier Edwards Is A Serious Pickleball Player
Baseball isn’t the only sport that Edwards loves. After the season comes to an end, one can expect Edwards to be on the pickleball court. Edwards comes from a Tennis background because his sister, Jasmine, played the sport while attending Morgan State University. Xavier has played tennis while growing up in Florida but prefers pickle ball. He is a good player, too, he said.
“I’m pretty good. I’m better at playing singles matches than I am at doubles,” Edwards said. “I just have some fun. That’s it.”
