Two young MLBbros, Xavier Edwards and Lawrence Butler, are continuing their climb to stardom in the Major Leagues after impressive breakout campaigns in 2024. Both players have not only shown immense talent, but they’ve also brought a spark to teams looking to carve out a new identity.
Xavier Edwards Shares Favorite MLB Moment Of His Career: Second Cycle In Miami Marlins History
The Miami Marlins called up Edwards, their dynamic middle infielder, in June of last season. Since then, he’s been a steady contributor at the top of their lineup. While his breakout year wasn’t enough to lift the Marlins from the cellar of the NL East — they finished 5th with a 62-100 record — Edwards gave Miami fans something to look forward to. Now, in the early stages of the 2025 season, he’s proving last year was no fluke.
Batting over .300 with six stolen bases already, Edwards has been red hot. In his last five games, he’s racked up nine hits, solidifying his spot as the Marlins’ leadoff man. While his strikeouts have ticked up a bit, he’s shown solid discipline at the plate. He’s hitting over .400 when he takes the first pitch and still hovers around .270 when he’s aggressive early in the count — showing he’s comfortable with both approaches. Miami may be rebuilding, but with Edwards in the fold, they’ve got an All-Star caliber shortstop to build around.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Butler has emerged as the face of the Athletics’ youth movement. The A’s showed their faith in the athletic right fielder by inking him to a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension on March 6 — a clear sign they believe he’s a long-term piece of their future.
After a brief demotion to Triple-A last season, Butler returned to the Majors last June with a renewed focus and hasn’t looked back. His combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess has been on full display early this season. Over the past few weeks, he’s been raking — batting over .350 in his last five games — while making highlight-reel plays in the outfield.
His glove and range in right field have turned heads, giving the A’s one of the most athletic corner outfielders in the league. With Butler leading a promising young core, the Athletics are hoping to rise in the competitive AL West. And if his early-season form holds, the MLBbro outfielder could be on his way to his first All-Star selection.
