Xavier Edwards uses a season-high four hits in Tuesday’s victory to propel himself into the top spot on our Week 14 #HighFive.
1. Xavier Edwards
Xavier Edwards has been a consistent force through the first half of 2026 for the Miami Marlins as he takes the top spot on our Week 14 #HighFive list.
He woke up Thursday morning with a .433/.469/.500 slash line, three RBI and two steals in his last seven games, all while collecting hits in nine straight games, including his third career four-hit performance Tuesday against the Rockies.
Xavier Edwards’ Consistent Bat Has The Miami Marlins Flying Up NL East Standings | mlbbro.com
Among all Major League second basemen, he currently ranks second in walks, batting average, hits, triples and OPS while leading the group with a .382 on-base percentage.
2. Taj Bradley
Taj Bradley became the first Minnesota Twins pitcher in franchise history to strike out 10 consecutive hitters during one of the best nights of his career Wednesday in H-Town.
It was the fourth time in his career Bradley has reached the 11-strikeout mark, only needing five innings while allowing only one run on four hits while walking three.
The Fantastic 4: Top 4 MLBbro Mound Marauders
He has now allowed two or fewer runs and gone five or more innings for the third time in a row, as it seems he has gotten over the rough patch he faced between March and for a majority of June.
Bradley has a 3.86 ERA this year, and his 102 strikeouts rank just outside of the top 10 among American League pitchers.
3. Kumar Rocker
Kumar Rocker finishes June on a high note, throwing six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out five during his start last Sunday against Toronto.
Kumar Rocker Serves The Community While Finding His Way With Texas Rangers
That now makes seven out of nine games for Rocker where he allowed two or fewer runs, and the third time he has thrown up a zero over that span.
A major key for him to continue this success is starting games off strong. He has an ERA over 11 in the first inning this year but overall lowered the number to 3.83 last Sunday.
Rocker’s next start will be against the Tigers this weekend, opposing fellow #HighFive member Jack Flaherty on the 4th of July.
4. “Black” Jack Flaherty
Similar to the aforementioned Kumar Rocker, Flaherty ended a solid month of June on a high note, striking out nine and surrendering only two hits and three walks in five shutout innings against the Houston Astros.
The Return Of Black Jack Flaherty Can Stabilize Tigers Rotation
That gives him a 2.50 ERA and .229 batting average allowed for the month; a drastic improvement from the 5.81 ERA he posted in May.
Flaherty has had his name thrown around in trade talks for the better part of the last three seasons, and I believe this year will be no different if the Detroit Tigers cannot quickly get out of the basement of the American League Central.
5. Kahlil Watson
The final spot on our Week 14 #HighFive goes to Cleveland Guardians rookie Kahlil Watson, who makes his debut on the list.
The outfielder was originally drafted by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft before later being dealt to Cleveland in a deal for fellow MLBbro Josh Bell.
Watson has begun to pick up steam after going hitless through his first four career games.
In nine contests since, Watson is hitting .400 with an OPS of 1.019, a .419 on-base percentage, three doubles, eight RBIs and two stolen bases.
He joins a stacked Guardians rookie class that includes Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
They will all have to grow up fast and continue producing for Cleveland to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
