Xavier

Edwards

Edwards can absolutely fly, and he showed off that speed with the three three-baggers. The former Top 100 prospect has been outstanding at the top of the Miami lineup, and the four-hit day raises his average to .327 on the season. Edwards shouldn’t be counted on to be quite this good in 2025, but this skill set is too valuable to not target in the first 10 rounds of drafts next spring.

The Twins are now two behind the Royals and Tigers with three to play. Edwards went 6-for-13 with three RBI in the series to help spoil things for Minnesota. He has to be viewed as a top-100 player for 2025, given his .319 average and 31 steals in 67 games. If only he had a major league offense supporting him, he could be a true fantasy superstar.

Edwards has been nothing short of a revelation since being called-up. The two steals pushed his total to 30 in just 62 games with a .319 batting average and 31 runs scored. That puts him on pace for over 70 steals in a full season. It’s going to be fascinating to see how high he’s pushed up in drafts this winter and spring.

Edwards came off the bench the last two games, going 2-for-2 with a double and a steal last night. We’re not sure what the Marlins are trying to do here with one of their key players, but we’re guessing Edwards isn’t quite 100 percent after returning from back soreness last week. Because if he is 100 percent and they just didn’t start him three games in a row anyway, that would be criminal.

That’s now twice the Marlins have sat Edwards against a left-handed starting pitcher. Fantasy managers should hope that’s not going to be a consistent trend because the Nationals are starting only left-handed pitchers in this series. Javier Sanoja will start at second base and bat ninth. Griffin Conine will also head to the bench with David Hensley starting in right field and batting seventh.

Edwards came through with a tie-breaking single to left-center field off Nationals reliever Derek Law to put an end to Wednesday’s extra-inning marathon at loanDepot park. The 25-year-old speedster went 0-for-5 during Tuesday’s series opener in his return from the injured list, but was able to put that one behind him in a hurry, recording another multi-hit performance in this one. He’s taken over as Miami’s everyday shortstop and is batting .339 (39-for-115) with one homer and 18 steals over his last 30 games. That’ll work.

Edwards returns after just a minimum stint on the injured list after dealing with soreness in his back. The 25-year-old will likely resume hitting at the top of the Miami lineup while handling shortstop duties for the remainder of 2024; likely beyond that, too. He’s been a revelation for fantasy managers, batting .349/.428/.436 with one homer and 22 stolen bases in 202 plate appearances over 47 games for the Marlins.

It’s tough work carrying the Marlins offense. It sounds like Edwards might only miss the minimum, so he still might be a significant factor in fantasy leagues September. Vidal Bruján figures to see most of the time at shortstop for now.

It was initially thought that Edwards would avoid the IL after he reportedly felt better after an on-field workout, but the Marlins will be cautious with their 25-year-old speedster and put him on the IL after all. It’s a huge bummer for fantasy managers since Edwards has been a tremendous waiver add after earning the starting shortstop job, hitting .349 in 47 games with 22 steals and a 12.9 percent walk rate to just a 15.3 percent strikeout rate. Vidal Brujan figures to remain the starter at shortstop while Edwards is out.

Edwards was unable to go Saturday with discomfort in his back, and he’ll miss at least one more game. He’s considered day-to-day, with a good chance to return to the lineup before the end of the week. Vidal Bruján is starting at shortstop with Edwards unavailable.