The Miami Marlins have been building around young players like infielder Otto Lopez, catcher Joe Mack, and pitcher Eury Perez, but a seemingly unsung hero on the roster continues to prove his value as the franchise moves forward toward the future

Miami second baseman Xavier Edwards, who forms one of baseball's best young double-play combinations alongside Lopez, is a player who does a little bit of everything to help the team win. While the shortstop gets a lot of press for his daring play and high batting average (.305, 3rd in the National League in 2026), Edwards continues to put up consistent numbers and solid defense.

In 2026, Edwards hit .280 with six home runs, 52 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and a .730 OPS, along with 17 doubles and six triples. With the leather, he posted a .983 fielding percentage with six errors in 138 games at the keystone. It's been plainly evident that he's not only reliable, but he's also the perfect partner for his All-Star shortstop.

But his role extends beyond that. On his own, Edwards is as good as any second sacker in the American League East and can hold his own among baseball's best. As a vital part of the team, he's a young veteran and should provide the stability that represents a foundation for the young team.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough knows the value of is 27-year-old infielder.

“I love what he’s doing," the South Florida skipper said about Edwards earlier in the year, according to the Miami Herald. "He’s getting hits up the middle and the other way. Now, he’s at the point where he’s continuing to learn the spots and times to let it go a little bit and be able to pull the ball with authority. With X's skill set, it makes it easy for me … I feel like I can put him anywhere with the combination of where other guys are.”

Not only is Edwards has good statistics in the field and at the plate, his worth is explained in words, not numbers, by his teammates. It's clear that he's been embraced by his fellow Fish and they appreciate what he brings to the table. Lopez spoke about Edwards play and their working relationship around loanDepot Park.

“It's good wherever in the lineup I'm in and wherever he is," Lopez explained. "He's been doing very good. Just to get him on base, or get me on base, it's both great for the team.”

“Everything we do is for the team to win. So when we work together, it's kind of like, you helped me with what you were doing, I helped you with what I was doing. It's very good.”

Edwards is still in the arbitration era of his contract status and wont be eligible for free agency until 20230. But then, the team will likely have come with a long-term deal of sort to keep the second baseman in Miami. But for now? Through the course of the next several years, he will help steward the rise of the Marlins' youth movement.