Xavier

Edwards

Edwards piled up 31 thefts last year in just 71 contests, which is even more impressive considering he wasn’t an everyday player until early July. The 25-year-old speedster possesses the blend of base-running savvy and on-base skills required to potentially lead the majors in stolen bases this season as Miami’s leadoff hitter. He won’t chip in more than a handful of home runs, but his contact skills and green light on the basepaths make it easy to forecast Edwards as one of the most impactful fantasy contributors at the shortstop position.

Edwards singled off of Michael Soroka, swiped second base and scored on a two-run single by Eric Wagaman as part of the Marlins’ six-run uprising in the fifth inning on Friday. Edwards has picked up right where he left off last season this spring, hitting .319 (15-for-47) with nine RBI and three stolen bases.

He knocked in all of Miami’s runs. The Marlins went into the spring with one certainty in the lineup and that was that Edwards would lead off. He’s also the one position player on the team worth taking in the first 20 rounds of mixed-league drafts.

Edwards has been dealing with a lingering shoulder issue since the 2022 season when he suffered a right shoulder impingement. He told MLB.com earlier this month that he’s feeling the best he’s felt in years thanks to working with Maxx Garrett, the Marlins director of catching who previously worked at Driveline Baseball, on a brand-new throwing program. He was outstanding last year when he finally got a chance with Miami, hitting .328 in 70 contests. His batting average would’ve ranked second in the majors, behind Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. (.332) had he qualified. His 31 thefts were seventh on the senior circuit, despite only playing a few months following a mid-June call-up. The 25-year-old projects as an impact fantasy contributor in the batting average and stolen base departments, but the fact that he’s only going to contribute a handful of homers likely limits his potential upside from reaching the upper-echelon stratosphere. The fact that he’s feeling healthy entering spring training is undoubtedly a positive, but we’re not forecasting a power breakthrough.

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.