Xavier Edwards Hitting For The Cycle Is Just The Beginning to His Miami Marlins Career

Xavier Edwards Hitting For The Cycle Is Just The Beginning to His Miami Marlins Career

by | Jul 30, 2024 | THE LEAD OFF

July 28th, 2024 will be a day that Miami Marlins infielder Xavier Edwards will remember for the rest of his life.

 

On Sunday, he did something only one other Marlins player has done and that was hit for the cycle.

 

 

Edwards joined former Marlins player Luis Arráez, as the only two to achieve the milestone. Not only did Edwards hit for the cycle, but he also hit his first career home run as well.

 

What a day the 24-year-old had at the plate against the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “I don’t think it’s really set in yet, but it’s pretty cool that I got my first homer to start the game, and then I got to cap it off with a single. I would have been pretty upset with myself if I didn’t hit a single. I usually spray a lot of singles, so I would’ve been pretty upset about not getting a single, so I’m really glad I did.”

 

It came down to the last out of the game for Edwards to get the cycle. On a 1-2 count from Brewers closer Devin Williams, Edwards hit a liner to the shortstop and utilized his speed to beat the throw for an infield single.

And Edwards led off the game, launching a solo shot to right field.

Read More: “I Want To Get Back To My Game” | Marlins Second Baseman Xavier Edwards Hoping To Make 26-Man Opening Day Roster | mlbbro.com

His teammate and MLBbro Josh Bell was proud of Edwards’ performance against the Brewers.

The Marlins placed Bell on waivers, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. Should his $16.5 million contract go through waivers unclaimed, he will remain in Miami. Heyman further notes that he has not been designated for assignment and could still be traded by Miami before the MLB Trade Deadline.

The 31-year-old Texas native has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Marlins. Bell is currently slashing .239/.305/.394 with 14 home runs, 49 runs batted in, and a .699 OPS in nearly 400 plate appearances. Additionally, the veteran first basemen has a negative WAR through 104 games this season.

 

 

“I couldn’t be happier for him, especially establishing himself as an everyday big leaguer, getting a chance and wanting to make the most of it,” Bell said. “I feel like he’s officially established with that.”

 

Edwards has been impressive at the plate this month as well. Through 78 at-bats, he’s hitting .397 with nine RBI.

 

In 25 games so far this season, he is carrying a .375 batting average and making a case to be an everyday player throughout the remainder of the season, especially now that Jazz Chisholm Jr. is no longer with the team.

 

Going into the season, Edwards had a good chance of making the Opening Day roster, but was sent to the injured list due to a left foot infection.

 

He made his season debut on June 7th against the Cleveland Guardians and went hitless in three at-bats. Edwards would then follow up with a hit in back-to-back games against the Guardians and went on an eight-game hitting streak.

 

 

 

The infielder made his MLB debut last season with the Marlins, and he appeared in 30 games, finishing with a .295 batting average. It was then that he started to gain some attention and display his talents on the big stage.

Edwards has the opportunity to make Miami his home and go on to have a productive career with the Marlins.

We will get to see if he can continue to build on this success he’s having at the plate, and he will certainly be a player to keep an eye out for as the season progresses.

 

“I Want To Get Back To My Game” | Marlins Second Baseman Xavier Edwards Hoping To Make 26-Man Opening Day Roster

“I Want To Get Back To My Game” | Marlins Second Baseman Xavier Edwards Hoping To Make 26-Man Opening Day Roster

by | Feb 27, 2023 | THE THREE SPOT

The Miami Marlins have accrued some young talent over the last couple of years with reigning Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara and All-Star second baseman/centerfielder, Jazz Chisholm AKA “Bahamian Blur” leading the pack.

In fact, Chisholm became the first Bahamian-born player to make an All-Star roster in 2022. While those are the cornerstones of the rebuild going down in South Florida, manager Skip Schumaker is looking to add more talent to the roster. That may come in the form of the sweet-hitting Xavier Edwards, who’s looking to make the 26-man opening day roster at second base.

 

 


The 23-year-old, versatile player was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays and shipped off to South Beach on November 15th, after his first stint in Triple-A saw him hit a career-high five homers. While his deep-ball accuracy got better his batting average dropped from a career .300 hitter to .246, not all that alarming when you consider hitters usually see a drop in batting average when they become more locked-in on going yard. But for the five-foot-ten, 175-pound Edwards, that’s not who he is as a hitter. Now, he wants to revert back to his former approach at the plate.

 

Xavier Edwards Is Going Back To What He Knows

In a January interview with Baseball America’s Marlins correspondent Walter Villa, Edwards addressed that very thing.

“I want to get back to my game,” said Edwards.

That means hitting for average and spraying the baseball to all parts of the field. Not just swinging for the fences.

 

 

Edwards Is A Switch-Hitting Base Thief

One of Edwards’ other attributes is his ability to get on-base, and then wreak havoc on opposing pitchers and catchers. In his career, he’s been successful in 82 of his 109 base-stealing attempts for a 75 percent clip.

That’s eight percent better than the MLB average of 67 percent. While that percentage might drop a bit against better pitchers, catchers and infielders at the MLB level, it shouldn’t change too drastically with Edward’s innate ability to identify the opportune moment to attempt a swipe.

Edwards is also a switch-hitter and has experience playing shortstop and third base. The one thing he prides himself on is his defensive versatility.

 

 

Edwards Is Attempting To Make A Talented Marlins Infield

Earning a spot on the talented Marlins infield won’t be easy, but the belief is Edwards has what it takes to make the 26-man roster. Edwards who’s familiar with the South Florida area — having played for the Rays after spending his junior and senior seasons of high school at North Broward Prep — has many rooting for his success.

One of his biggest supporters is his high school coach Brian Campbell who lauded Edwards as a player with leadership qualities that he exudes through hard work and dedication to the craft.

“He’s an amazing leader, an incredible worker and the most special I’ve player I’ve ever coached,” Campbell said. “But I’m even more proud he’s giving back to the community.”

Edwards has held a baseball camp at North Broward Prep for the last five years. It’s a free two-day experience for over 120 kids yearly.

 

 

 

Edwards knows how important it is to give back and grow the game amongst the melanated brothers.

“I’ve been given a lot of opportunities. It’s important for me to try to grow the game, especially among African-Americans.“

That’s vital with only 7.2 percent of MLB players being Black in 2022.

Hopefully, this talented MLBbro will find himself in the show in 2023. He can start by taking advantage of his spring training starts.