Xavier Edwards

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #5 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Edwards was selected 38th overall in 2018 by the Padres after a standout high school career at north Broward Prep. He had a productive first two pro seasons, hitting a combined .328 with nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts (79). He was traded to the Rays in 2019, where he continued to show off his advanced bat-to-ball skills. After reaching Triple-A Durham in 2022, Edwards was traded to Miami that fall. Edwards made his MLB debut in 2023 during a productive season with Triple-A Jacksonville in which he hit .351 with 32 stolen bases and 52 walks to 30 strikeouts. He played to his strengths in Miami, hitting .295 and stealing five bases in 30 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Edwards has a direct, compact swing from both sides of the plate with quickness in his hands. His operation is geared toward putting the ball in play and spraying line drives to all fields. Edwards has an undoubted hit-over-power profile, but he sometimes laces the ball down the line or into a gap. He has excellent bat-to-ball skills. Across Triple-A and MLB in 2023, he had an overall contact rate of 87% and an in-zone contact rate of 91%. Edwards will sometimes struggle to pick up spin, which will lead to him expanding the strike zone at times. He is a double-plus runner who has turned in 80-grade home-to-first times and has the ability to wreak havoc on the basepaths. Edwards focused his MLB time at second base and center field and is capable at both. He also played third base and shortstop in Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Having already gotten an MLB taste, Edwards projects to crack the Opening Day roster in 2024. His contact and speed-oriented profile bodes well with the new rules aiding basestealers. He can affect the game in a number of ways, and his versatility will help keep him in the lineup.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #10 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Edwards was drafted by the Padres out of high school in 2018 and has been traded twice. First, he was dealt in 2019 to the Rays as part of the Hunter Renfroe swap that also sent Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. This past offseason, after a year bouncing around the infield at Triple-A Durham, Tampa sent him to Miami in exchange for prospects Marcus Johnson and Santiago Suarez.
  
  Scouting Report: Edwards doesn't have a particular standout tool, but the Marlins don't have any standout infielders. He competes well in at-bats, makes sound swing decisions and did a good job making plenty of contact, but still projects to have bottom-end power. He's improved defensively at all three non-first base infield positions but fits best at second base because of fringy arm strength and naturally lower arm slot that is better suited for the right side of the infield. The new shift rules should also mitigate some of his lack of standout arm strength. He can hack it on the left side, too, because of a quicker release. Edwards has a solid internal clock as well but got in trouble when he laid back too often on balls. He is a plus runner who can play average defense at all three infield spots.
  
  The Future: In Edwards and Jordan Groshans, the Marlins have bought low on two former Top 100 prospects in the hopes of supplementing their near-term big league roster. Edwards should see the big leagues in 2023 and could be a super utility player.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 20. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #8 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Rays acquired Edwards with Hunter Renfroe from the Padres in the 2019 trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. Unless Edwards blossoms, it may end up as one of the rare trades the Rays would like to take back. The 38th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Edwards has hit over .300 at every step of his minor league career and owns a .320 career batting average. He officially has just one career home run, though, although he did add a wall-scraping grand slam for Montgomery in the Double-A South postseason.
  
  Scouting Report: A scrappy, undersized switch-hitter, Edwards is as comfortable with two strikes as most hitters are when they are ahead in the count because he knows he can connect with almost anything. But Edwards also scares no pitcher because he subsists on a diet of singles—just 17% of his career hits have gone for extra bases. He’s a potential plus-plus hitter, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever hit more than five home runs in a season. Edwards didn’t play a game at shortstop in 2021 and now projects as purely a second baseman. He’s an above-average defender there thanks to quick hands and feet. Once a top-of-the-scale runner, Edwards now more regularly turns in plus times. He wasn’t nearly the threat on the bases he’d been in the past, but an oblique injury may have played a role in that.
  
  The Future: Edwards’ exceptional contact ability, athleticism and speed gives him a role in the majors even if he doesn’t get stronger. The difference between him being a useful role player and a David Fletcher/Nick Madrigal-type regular will depend on him adding at least a little thump to his contact-oriented approach.
  
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #9 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 60. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
  Track Record: Drafted 38th overall by the Padres in 2018, Edwards hit .322 and finished tied for third in the minors in hits in his first full season. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. The Rays sent Edwards to their alternate training site in mid August, where he joined the organization’s collection of middle infielders with excellent bat-to-ball skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Like White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, Edwards is a smallish second baseman who rarely strikes out, consistently puts the barrel on the ball and can run with plus speed. But also like Madrigal, the switch-hitting Edwards’ plus hitting ability is tempered by concerns about his lack of power. Edwards has gotten a little stronger and will post 100 mph exit velocities on his hardest hits, but he still hits more balls in front of outfielders than in the gaps. He’s a patient hitter with nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts in his career (79), so he may get on base enough to make up for his lack of slugging. He’s an efficient basestealer and reliable defender, although his fringy arm is stretched at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Edwards fits the Rays’ desire for athletic, multi-positional players. He projects as a table-setter who’s contact and speed-based game is a throwback to earlier eras.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #7 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Edwards had the skills of a first-round pick in 2018 but fell due to concerns about his size. The Padres snatched him 38th overall and signed him for $1.3 million to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. Listed at 5-foot-10 but really closer to 5-foot-7, Edwards rendered his size moot by hitting .322 and finishing tied for third in the minors in hits (162) in his first full season. He was selected for Team USA's Olympic qualifying roster after the year. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham to the Padres.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Edwards is quiet in the box, shows a feel for the strike zone and consistently puts good swings on pitches. His diminutive size and flat swing path aren't conducive to hitting home runs, but he has enough strength and barrel awareness to hit the ball hard in play. He is a true switch-hitter equally capable from both sides of the plate. Edwards' plus-plus speed is his top asset. He is a prolific basestealer with advanced instincts, and is altogether 56 for 78 (72 percent) on stolen bases in his career. Edwards is a reliable defender with a quick first step and sure hands at both middle infield positions, but his fringe-average arm is best suited for second base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Edwards draws frequent comparisons to Chone Figgins as a potential speedy all-star who hits atop the lineup. He'll see Double-A Montgomery in 2020.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #21 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Scouts considered Edwards arguably the most skilled player in the 2018 draft class, but he fell out of the first round because he's listed at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds and is really closer to 5-7. The Padres didn't expect Edwards to still be available at pick No. 38 and were ecstatic when he was, quickly selecting him and signing him for $1.3 million to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. Edwards lived up early to his pre-draft raves, batting .346/.453/.409 with 22 steals in 45 games after signing while advancing to short-season Tri-City.
  
  Scouting Report: The switch-hitting Edwards fits the bill of an old-school leadoff hitter. A quick, twitchy athlete, Edwards has an advanced eye and quick, simple stroke from both sides that sprays the ball to all fields on a line. He rarely strikes out and is happy to take a walk. Once Edwards gets on base, he is a base-stealing terror with his plus-plus speed and advanced feel for baserunning. Edwards' quickness and advanced feel translate to the middle infield, where he is a plus defender at shortstop with slick hands and range. His fringe-average arm is his one drawback and may eventually force him to second base.
  
  The Future: Edwards' advanced skills and feel have thus far rendered his size irrelevant. He'll aim to continue that in full-season ball in 2019.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #43 prospect in 2018 draft
  Pound for pound, Edwards might be the most skilled player in the class. The problem is that he's just 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds. A twitchy, switch-hitting infielder, Edwards possesses some of the quickest hands and footwork in the class, turning the double play from shortstop and second base with aplomb. A true, top of the scale runner, Edwards has more than enough range to handle shortstop, but scouts are mixed on whether he has the arm strength to stick at the position, with grades ranging from fringe-average to average. He makes the most of what he has, taking good angles on balls, cutting down ground and using his advanced footwork to put him in ideal throwing positions. He has the athleticism and instincts to make throws from multiple angles and a quick exchange. His speed also plays well on the bases, where he is an aggressive runner. He's been clocked regularly in the 3.9-second range from the lefthanded batter's box to first base--good enough for an 80-grade time--and his hand-eye coordination and quick, simple swing gives him great barrel control. He has good feel to hit from both sides of the plate and should hit for a high average when factoring in his speed, although his power is well below-average with little reason to project more. Power and size won't ever be in Edwards' favor, but he is a player who can impact the game on offense and defense because of his speed and the chance to be an above-average defender at a premium position.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #10 prospect in 2019
  The diminutive Edwards moved up to Lake Elsinore on July 10 and quickly established he wouldn’t be physically overmatched. His .301 average ranked ninth in the league from the time he joined, with his knack for putting the barrel on the ball drawing rave reviews. Edwards is slash-and-dash hitter who lines the ball into open spaces and lets his plus speed work. His size and swing don’t portend home run power, but his speed helps generate plenty of doubles and triples, not to mention stolen bases. "He has a little bit of thump in there,” Inland Empire manager Ryan Barba said. "Nothing home run-wise, but just the ability to put bat to ball and square things up and get to the gaps was impressive.” Edwards proved a reliable defender with a good first step and sure hands. His fringy arm is best suited for second base.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #6 prospect in 2019
  Pure athleticism and near-elite speed were key factors for Edwards in an eye-catching Midwest League campaign. “His speed plays on both sides,” one scout said. “His speed will create extra-base power. Everything is going to be speed and on-base oriented. I don’t see any real power. But who knows with the way the ball is jacked up, anything is possible.” Despite a lack of size, Edwards has a feel for hitting to all fields at the plate, and with his body still filling out could add more power. His athleticism has played to his advantage in the middle infield, but he hasn’t locked in a long-term home yet. Some see his speed playing better in the outfield. “Whether he stays at shortstop or moves to center field, (Edwards) can do things,” the scout added.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #4 prospect in 2018
  Edwards was no stranger to amateur scouts, having played in most of the top high school showcases during his high school career. The best compliment given to Edwards is that he’s a throwback player who does the little things expected from a shortstop. He’s a plus-plus runner who puts the ball in play and plays above-average defense with advanced instincts on the field. Scouts described Edwards as the type of player whose skill allows him to play above his solid tools. His average arm works at shortstop because of a quick release that makes up for his lack of pure arm strength, and he showed an advanced understanding of the game. “It looks like the game is just slow for him,” Padres manager Vinny Lopez said. “That’s something you don’t learn until you’re at Double-A. He’s just born with it.”
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #4 prospect in 2018
  As was the case in the draft, Edwards was among the most tooled-up players in the Northwest League. He blended speed, athleticism and polish to become yet another intriguing piece in the Padres’ enviable farm system. Edwards’ true standout tool is his 80-grade speed, which allows him to produce 3.9-second times to first base on a regular basis. He’s a rangy defender at shortstop, where his speed translates into above-average range. His arm can get to average, but it plays higher because of his quick release. Edwards doesn’t project for much power, but his game is geared more toward a slash-and-burn style of play. Edwards is also praised for his plate discipline and ability to apply his knowledge as quickly as it’s received. Edwards is teams look for in a top-of-the-order hitter with speed, a discerning eye and the desire to get on base. Edwards’ next step will be a taste of full-season ball at low Class A. Scouts project him as a solid everyday shortstop with excellent on-base skills.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #85 prospect in 2020

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Edwards was drafted by the Padres out of high school in 2018 and has been traded twice. First, he was dealt in 2019 to the Rays as part of the Hunter Renfroe swap that also sent Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. This past offseason, after a year bouncing around the infield at Triple-A Durham, Tampa sent him to Miami in exchange for prospects Marcus Johnson and Santiago Suarez.
  
  Scouting Report: Edwards doesn't have a particular standout tool, but the Marlins don't have any standout infielders. He competes well in at-bats, makes sound swing decisions and did a good job making plenty of contact, but still projects to have bottom-end power. He's improved defensively at all three non-first base infield positions but fits best at second base because of fringy arm strength and naturally lower arm slot that is better suited for the right side of the infield. The new shift rules should also mitigate some of his lack of standout arm strength. He can hack it on the left side, too, because of a quicker release. Edwards has a solid internal clock as well but got in trouble when he laid back too often on balls. He is a plus runner who can play average defense at all three infield spots.
  
  The Future: In Edwards and Jordan Groshans, the Marlins have bought low on two former Top 100 prospects in the hopes of supplementing their near-term big league roster. Edwards should see the big leagues in 2023 and could be a super utility player.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 20. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Edwards was drafted by the Padres out of high school in 2018 and has been traded twice. First, he was dealt in 2019 to the Rays as part of the Hunter Renfroe swap that also sent Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. This past offseason, after a year bouncing around the infield at Triple-A Durham, Tampa sent him to Miami in exchange for prospects Marcus Johnson and Santiago Suarez.
  
  Scouting Report: Edwards doesn't have a particular standout tool, but the Marlins don't have any standout infielders. He competes well in at-bats, makes sound swing decisions and did a good job making plenty of contact, but still projects to have bottom-end power. He's improved defensively at all three non-first base infield positions but fits best at second base because of fringy arm strength and naturally lower arm slot that is better suited for the right side of the infield. The new shift rules should also mitigate some of his lack of standout arm strength. He can hack it on the left side, too, because of a quicker release. Edwards has a solid internal clock as well but got in trouble when he laid back too often on balls. He is a plus runner who can play average defense at all three infield spots.
  
  The Future: In Edwards and Jordan Groshans, the Marlins have bought low on two former Top 100 prospects in the hopes of supplementing their near-term big league roster. Edwards should see the big leagues in 2023 and could be a super utility player.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 20. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Rays acquired Edwards along with Hunter Renfroe in the 2019 trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. Unless Edwards blossoms, it may end up as one of the rare trades the Rays would like to take back. Edwards has hit over .300 at every step of his MiLB career. He officially has one career home run, but he did add a wall-scraping grand slam for Montgomery in the Double-A South postseason.
  
  Scouting Report: Edwards is as comfortable with two strikes as most hitters are when they are ahead in the count because he knows he can connect with almost anything. But Edwards also scares no pitcher because he subsists on a diet of singles—just 17% of his career hits have gone for extra bases. He will need to drive the ball more consistently to have a successful MLB career. Edwards didn&#39t play a game at shortstop in 2021 and now projects as purely a second baseman. He&#39s an above-average defender there thanks to quick hands and feet. Once a top-of-the-scale runner, Edwards now more regularly turns in plus times although he will turn in a plus-plus time at his best. Edwards wasn&#39t nearly the threat on the bases he&#39d shown in the past, but an oblique injury may have played a role in that.
  
  The Future: Edwards&#39 exceptional contact ability, athleticism and speed gives him a role in the majors even if he doesn&#39t get stronger. But the difference between him being a useful role player and a David Fletcher/Nick Madrigal-type regular will depend on him adding at least a little power to his contact-oriented approach.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 70. Power: 20. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Rays acquired Edwards with Hunter Renfroe from the Padres in the 2019 trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. Unless Edwards blossoms, it may end up as one of the rare trades the Rays would like to take back. The 38th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Edwards has hit over .300 at every step of his minor league career and owns a .320 career batting average. He officially has just one career home run, though, although he did add a wall-scraping grand slam for Montgomery in the Double-A South postseason.
  
  Scouting Report: A scrappy, undersized switch-hitter, Edwards is as comfortable with two strikes as most hitters are when they are ahead in the count because he knows he can connect with almost anything. But Edwards also scares no pitcher because he subsists on a diet of singles—just 17% of his career hits have gone for extra bases. He’s a potential plus-plus hitter, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever hit more than five home runs in a season. Edwards didn’t play a game at shortstop in 2021 and now projects as purely a second baseman. He’s an above-average defender there thanks to quick hands and feet. Once a top-of-the-scale runner, Edwards now more regularly turns in plus times. He wasn’t nearly the threat on the bases he’d been in the past, but an oblique injury may have played a role in that.
  
  The Future: Edwards’ exceptional contact ability, athleticism and speed gives him a role in the majors even if he doesn’t get stronger. The difference between him being a useful role player and a David Fletcher/Nick Madrigal-type regular will depend on him adding at least a little thump to his contact-oriented approach.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
  Track Record: Drafted 38th overall by the Padres in 2018, Edwards hit .322 and finished tied for third in the minors in hits in his first full season. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. The Rays sent Edwards to their alternate training site in mid August, where he joined the organization's collection of middle infielders with excellent bat-to-ball skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Like White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, Edwards is a smallish second baseman who rarely strikes out, consistently puts the barrel on the ball and can run with plus speed. But also like Madrigal, the switch-hitting Edwards' plus hitting ability is tempered by concerns about his lack of power. Edwards has gotten a little stronger and will post 100 mph exit velocities on his hardest hits, but he still hits more balls in front of outfielders than in the gaps. He's a patient hitter with nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts in his career (79), so he may get on base enough to make up for his lack of slugging. He's an efficient basestealer and reliable defender, although his fringy arm is stretched at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Edwards fits the Rays' desire for athletic, multi-positional players. He projects as a table-setter who's contact and speed-based game is a throwback to earlier eras.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
  Track Record: Drafted 38th overall by the Padres in 2018, Edwards hit .322 and finished tied for third in the minors in hits in his first full season. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. The Rays sent Edwards to their alternate training site in mid August, where he joined the organization’s collection of middle infielders with excellent bat-to-ball skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Like White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, Edwards is a smallish second baseman who rarely strikes out, consistently puts the barrel on the ball and can run with plus speed. But also like Madrigal, the switch-hitting Edwards’ plus hitting ability is tempered by concerns about his lack of power. Edwards has gotten a little stronger and will post 100 mph exit velocities on his hardest hits, but he still hits more balls in front of outfielders than in the gaps. He’s a patient hitter with nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts in his career (79), so he may get on base enough to make up for his lack of slugging. He’s an efficient basestealer and reliable defender, although his fringy arm is stretched at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Edwards fits the Rays’ desire for athletic, multi-positional players. He projects as a table-setter who’s contact and speed-based game is a throwback to earlier eras.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 30. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 45.
  Track Record: Drafted 38th overall by the Padres in 2018, Edwards hit .322 and finished tied for third in the minors in hits in his first full season. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. The Rays sent Edwards to their alternate training site in mid August, where he joined the organization’s collection of middle infielders with excellent bat-to-ball skills.
  
  Scouting Report: Like White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, Edwards is a smallish second baseman who rarely strikes out, consistently puts the barrel on the ball and can run with plus speed. But also like Madrigal, the switch-hitting Edwards’ plus hitting ability is tempered by concerns about his lack of power. Edwards has gotten a little stronger and will post 100 mph exit velocities on his hardest hits, but he still hits more balls in front of outfielders than in the gaps. He’s a patient hitter with nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts in his career (79), so he may get on base enough to make up for his lack of slugging. He’s an efficient basestealer and reliable defender, although his fringy arm is stretched at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Edwards fits the Rays’ desire for athletic, multi-positional players. He projects as a table-setter who’s contact and speed-based game is a throwback to earlier eras.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Edwards had the skills of a first-round pick in 2018 but fell due to concerns about his size. The Padres snatched him 38th overall and signed him for $1.3 million to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. Listed at 5-foot-10 but really closer to 5-foot-7, Edwards rendered his size moot by hitting .322 and finishing tied for third in the minors in hits (162) in his first full season. He was selected for Team USA’s Olympic qualifying roster after the year. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham to the Padres.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Edwards is quiet in the box, shows a feel for the strike zone and consistently puts good swings on pitches. His diminutive size and flat swing path aren’t conducive to hitting home runs, but he has enough strength and barrel awareness to hit the ball hard in play. He is a true switch-hitter equally capable from both sides of the plate. Edwards’ plus-plus speed is his top asset. He is a prolific basestealer with advanced instincts, and is altogether 56 for 78 (72 percent) on stolen bases in his career. Edwards is a reliable defender with a quick first step and sure hands at both middle infield positions, but his fringe-average arm is best suited for second base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Edwards draws frequent comparisons to Chone Figgins as a potential speedy all-star who hits atop the lineup. He’ll see Double-A Montgomery in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Edwards had the skills of a first-round pick in 2018 but fell due to concerns about his size. The Padres snatched him 38th overall and signed him for $1.3 million to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment. Listed at 5-foot-10 but really closer to 5-foot-7, Edwards rendered his size moot by hitting .322 and finishing tied for third in the minors in hits (162) in his first full season. He was selected for Team USA's Olympic qualifying roster after the year. The Rays acquired him with Hunter Renfroe in the trade that sent Tommy Pham to the Padres.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Edwards is quiet in the box, shows a feel for the strike zone and consistently puts good swings on pitches. His diminutive size and flat swing path aren't conducive to hitting home runs, but he has enough strength and barrel awareness to hit the ball hard in play. He is a true switch-hitter equally capable from both sides of the plate. Edwards' plus-plus speed is his top asset. He is a prolific basestealer with advanced instincts, and is altogether 56 for 78 (72 percent) on stolen bases in his career. Edwards is a reliable defender with a quick first step and sure hands at both middle infield positions, but his fringe-average arm is best suited for second base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Edwards draws frequent comparisons to Chone Figgins as a potential speedy all-star who hits atop the lineup. He'll see Double-A Montgomery in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The diminutive Edwards moved up to Lake Elsinore on July 10 and quickly established he wouldn’t be physically overmatched. His .301 average ranked ninth in the league from the time he joined, with his knack for putting the barrel on the ball drawing rave reviews. Edwards is slash-and-dash hitter who lines the ball into open spaces and lets his plus speed work. His size and swing don’t portend home run power, but his speed helps generate plenty of doubles and triples, not to mention stolen bases. "He has a little bit of thump in there,” Inland Empire manager Ryan Barba said. "Nothing home run-wise, but just the ability to put bat to ball and square things up and get to the gaps was impressive.” Edwards proved a reliable defender with a good first step and sure hands. His fringy arm is best suited for second base.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Pure athleticism and near-elite speed were key factors for Edwards in an eye-catching Midwest League campaign. “His speed plays on both sides,” one scout said. “His speed will create extra-base power. Everything is going to be speed and on-base oriented. I don’t see any real power. But who knows with the way the ball is jacked up, anything is possible.” Despite a lack of size, Edwards has a feel for hitting to all fields at the plate, and with his body still filling out could add more power. His athleticism has played to his advantage in the middle infield, but he hasn’t locked in a long-term home yet. Some see his speed playing better in the outfield. “Whether he stays at shortstop or moves to center field, (Edwards) can do things,” the scout added.