Xavier Edwards DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards (shoulder), who had a breakout season in 2024, worked hard this offseason on his right-shoulder strength after suffering a shoulder impingement in 2022. The injury has affected the velocity and accuracy on his throws from the left side of the infield. But the 25-year-old was given a detailed throwing program this offseason and has been making 35-40 throws four to five days a week for the last seven weeks. Edwards changed his grip and release to get more backspin and carry on his throws. "Best it's felt in years," Edwards said. "It's not bothering me to throw at all, so it's quite nice to throw a baseball without pain. I get to really think about my mechanics and what I want out of it." Offensively, he slashed an impressive .328/.397/.423 with 31 steals in 70 games in 2024. However, his lack of power (only one homer) limits his fantasy upside in mixed leagues.

Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards' speed was on full display in Friday's 15-5 win over the Blue Jays, setting a Marlins franchise record with three triples in a single game. The 25-year-old finished the day 4-for-6 from the plate, with four RBI and two runs scored. It was Edwards' fourth straight multi-hit game, putting an exclamation point on the end of his breakout campaign, with the switch-hitter putting up some impressive numbers in just 68 games played. The 38th-overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft tallied a .327-1-26-37-31 line with a .357 wOBA and 127 wRC+ over 294 plate appearances -- that's a 63-steal pace with 600 plate appearances. He'll be an intriguing fantasy asset in drafts next season with that type of speed and batting average.

Miami Marlins middle infielder Xavier Edwards and outfielder Kyle Stowers are out of the starting lineup on Saturday at LoanDepot Park against the division-rival Atlanta Braves with a left-hander on the mound. Javier Sanoja is starting at shortstop and is batting sixth, while Derek Hill will make the start in left field and bat cleanup for the Fish versus Braves left-hander Max Fried. Edwards will retreat to the bench after starting each of the team's last seven games. The 25-year-od switch-hitter has been one of the bright spots in Miami in 2024, hitting .318/.385/.386 with a .771 OPS and 30 stolen bases in just 233 at-bats. Stowers, on the other hand, has really struggled since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Orioles, as he's hit .203/.269/.322 with a .591 OPS, two homers, 15 RBI and 54 strikeouts in his 45 games in Miami.