Why You Should Be Excited About Xavier Edwards in 2024

One of the Marlins players who was most impressive in the 2023 minor league season was infielder Xavier Edwards. Edwards slashed .351/.429/.457/.886 with seven home runs, 47 RBIs, 32 stolen bases and a 130 wRC+. He won the AAA International League batting title and was named the Marlins' AAA MVP with his success in Jacksonville.

Edwards received the call that he would be joining the major league team in May, then returned in September where he played more regularly. In his 30 total games of action, he slashed .295/.329/.333/.663 with three RBIs, five stolen bases and a 82 wRC+.

Although Edwards didn't hit for any power, he has shown that he can get on base consistently. That starts with being a great contact hitter. With Jacksonville, Edwards' strikeout percentage was 6.9%, the lowest among qualifiers in the International League. As a Marlin, he was at 16.7%. He also drew walks 12.0% of the time in the minors, a rate that would lead all Marlins players if it translates to the major league level.

Once he reaches base, Edwards can continue to make an impact with his legs. Combining AAA and MLB, he went 37-for-41 on stolen base attempts last season (90.2% success rate).

It is still yet to be determined which positions Edwards will play in 2024. His best spot is second base, but the Marlins have Luis Arraez there on a daily basis. Last month, Edwards told the Marlins Hot Stove Show that he's been working out as a shortstop and outfielder.

Our own Ely Sussman went into depth on what we can possibly see with Edwards at shortstop. He got very few reps there in 2023 when playing next to Jacob Amaya and his arm strength is a concern. However, the Marlins don't have a clear starter for the position at the moment, so the opportunity will be there for him to show improvement.

Once the organization can figure out where Edwards will play in 2024, that may help him out in terms of just focusing on one position and getting comfortable at the big league level.

If Edwards isn't starting on Opening Day, his speed is still an asset that the Marlins need, especially with them letting Garrett Hampson walk. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is coming off turf toe surgery and former MLB stolen base leader Jon Berti is about to turn 34, plus he played through minor injuries last season. Edwards can provide value late in games as a pinch-runner or pinch-hitter (he always has the platoon advantage as a switch-hitter).

When starting, Edwards would most likely find himself in the nine hole (assuming Luis Arraez is the leadoff hitter).

It's exciting to think about how much the Marlins offense can improve with full seasons of Jake Burger and Josh Bell and Edwards possibly joining Arraez as a high-average hitter who can consistently get on base in front of them.

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports