By Toussaint Fancher
Xavier Edwards was not only having a special year at the plate, but making a run at the National League batting title, too.
“I would be lying if I said I haven’t [looked at the batting title race],” Edwards said to MLBbro.com.
Edwards, the Miami Marlins’ starting second baseman, had every reason to be looking at the leaderboard. Edwards was in the Top 5 before a recent slump (just three hits in his last 10 games) knocked him under .300.
Mini Slump Drops Xavier Edwards Batting Average
Edwards is batting .288 with two homers and 34 RBI. For sure, the infielder will now need a late-season surge to get back to where he was – in the batting title hunt.
If Edwards were to come back and win it, he would be the sixth different MLBbro to win a batting title since 2000. In the NL, a victory would put his name with former MLBbro legends, including Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron.
Edwards knows the feat would be historical, yet difficult, especially in the Major Leagues.
“In baseball you hit the ball hard, it can be an out, you hit the ball soft you can get hits. It’s a tough game so you know probably the hardest in the world,” Edwards said.
IL Stints Have Hindered Edwards In Past
Edwards has enjoyed his first full season in the majors. But he has battled setbacks, starting the 2024 season on the IL. Due to a foot infection, he only played three months of the season, coming back on July 2.
He also switched positions after an IL stint this season for a left mid-back strain. Originally a shortstop, he moved to second base.
Born in New York and raised in Florida, Edwards is an extremely valuable player for the Marlins. This season, he is one of the top hitters in whiff percentage, squared-up percentage and strikeout percentage. This means he doesn’t miss the ball during swings, he has high exit velocities and he doesn’t strike out often.
Edwards is also a switch hitter, making him more valuable than the average hitter. His ability to attack pitchers from both sides of the plate is a major asset that makes him versatile. Marlins’ manager Clayton McCullough once called him a “hit collector.”
“I’ve been doing it my whole life and I’ve put too much time into it to give it up. It’s tough managing two different swings, potentially two different approaches,” Edwards said.
Xavier Edwards Blossoms In Third Season
The 26-year-old is now in his third season and has steadily improved at the plate. The infielder says his improvement comes from just trying to produce and help the team.
“My job is to get on base and leadoff the game and leadoff this lineup,” Edwards said. “I also try to swing at good pitches and hit the ball hard. You know, all the basics.”
Edwards is seeing higher averages on different pitch types from last season to this season. He’s also hitting the ball more into the air showing an effort to try and add more power and slugging to his game.
He says he grew up admiring players like Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins, both legendary hitters. Edwards, without a doubt, has the tools to develop into a legend one day.
Edwards knows the road to the batting title is difficult but he has to continue to do the simple things to achieve history.
“I try to be as consistent as possible,” he said. “I try to get on as much as possible and I try to swing at good pitches as much as possible, hit the ball hard and do all the basics.”
To this point, his approach has put Edwards in the mix at a history-making season.
