Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | TB | 2B/SS | 4 | 55 |
Grades Update: Aug 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 60 | 70 | 30 | 60 | 45 | 70 |
Aug 2021 Report
Evaluator: Ian Smith
Age: 21 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2018 CBB (SD)
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: Athletic, stocky build that's added significant muscle to his frame since being drafted in 2018. Lower half size and strength are present without hindering any of his quickness. Built like an NFL slot receiver.
Hit: A switch hitter, Edwards will keep a near mirror image from both sides of the plate. Operating out of an even, closed stance with his knees slightly bent. Hand sit chest high with some slight bat wiggle pre-pitch. Incorporates a low leg trigger to start his load and hands stay back creating quality separation before showing plus bat speed. Bat path has some loft to it, but his overall ability to manipulate the barrel through the zone changes his bat path in a surprisingly good way where he can work the ball to all fields. Edwards has an innate ability to make contact and has shown a highly advanced eye at the plate with numbers like a near 90% contact rate and never running a K% over 14% across 5 levels of the minors. There are very few holes in the overall approach for Edwards, and if they didn't have someone named Wander then he could possibly have the best hit tool in the system. Grade: 70
Power: You won't find too much raw power from either side of the plate in Edwards' profile with just one career home run across 150+ games played so far. There's some strength in his frame with bat speed but Edwards overall all field approach cap any potential for average over the fence power, but will consistently fill up the extra base hit totals due to his double plus speed and barrel control. Grade: 30
Field: Very sound defensive actions that play at both middle infield positions. Shows athletic movements working in both directions and covers a solid amount of ground for his frame. Shows butter smooth hands on ground balls with speed and ease on transfers. Extremely advanced glove work without looking flashy. Will frequently put himself in good positions due to footwork and instincts, and rarely looks out of position. Grade: 60
Arm: Overall the natural arm strength for Edwards is average at best, but his ability to keep a consistent arm angle and stay accurate with his throws allow the tool to tick up a bit. Will leave his feet on occasion to make throws from the hole, but still remain accurate. Likely an arm to profile at 2B long term. Grade: 45
Run: Edwards has shown the ability to change the game with his legs. Explosive first step out of the box. Has been clocked with sub 4.0 H-1st from both sides of the plate, and even times in the 3.7-3.8 range in his prep years. Takes short, quick steps to reach top speed extremely quickly and will hold that speed with ease on extra base hits. Instincts and elite first step will allow him to be a consistent stolen base threat throughout his career. Grade: 70
Overall: When Xavier Edwards was traded to Tampa Bay, he accidentally earned an infamous nickname that he has shown to be much more than in a very short time. Bringing extremely loud hit and run tools that scream future top of the order hitter and could be in line for an abundance of run scoring opportunities hitting in front of the likes of Wander Franco, Randy Arozarena and Vidal Brujan in the coming years. Overall this entire profile has this ceiling has the potential of an all-star second baseman, or at worst an above average regular.
OFP: 55
Role: 60 - Above-Avg. Regular; Occasional All-Star
Risk: High
