Xavier Edwards’ mixed 2025 season reveals a talented spark plug. Can he set the Miami Marlins' offensive tone in 2026?
Xavier Edwards was a rare bright spot for the Miami Marlins in 2024.
In 70 games, Edwards had an excellent .328/.397/.423 slashline, finishing with a 129 OPS+ (the league average is 100).
Last season, the Marlins infielder played his first full big-league campaign, appearing in 139 games as a 25-year-old.
But the numbers didn't quite measure up to where they were in 2024.
Edwards is the latest subject of "Getting to Know the Fish," a Marlins Roundtable series profiling each Miami Marlins player.
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 175 pounds
Hometown: Mineola, New York
2025: Last season wasn't all bad for Edwards. He finished with a Wins Above Replacement of 3.2, which was third among Miami's position players and only 0.4 behind left-fielder Kyle Stowers for the team lead. But Edwards regressed on offense. His batting average fell from .328 to .283; his OBP sank from .328 to .283; and his slugging percentage dropped from .423 to .353.
Edwards was strong defensively, posting a 1.5 defensive runs replacement, according to ESPN analytics, so if nothing else, Edwards should shine at second base, with the capability of playing shortstop.
Outlook: Edwards is projected to be one of Miami's table-setters alongside centerfielder Jakob Marsee. Marsee is projected to be Miami's leadoff man, with Edwards batting second. So these two will have key roles in setting up for Miami's All-Star hitter, Kyle Stowers, and really, setting the tone for the offense as a whole.
Miami wasn't a bad offensive team in 2025, finishing just outside the top 10 in batting average. But when it came to the most important part of the game -- scoring runs -- Miami was mediocre at best, ending the year 16th out of 30 teams.
For Miami's offense to improve in 2026, it needs to be strong at the top of the order, and for Edwards specifically, his speed can be a huge asset.
Edwards was an excellent base stealer in 2024, ending the year with 31 swipes in 70 games, only being caught four times. Last season, Edwards played in 69 more games, but stole four fewer bases and got caught three more times.
Edwards is supposed to be a spark plug, and if he can be one for the Marlins in 2026, that will help light up an offense that has yet to heat up.
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