After hitting 1st MLB HR, Edwards caps memorable day with cycle

MILWAUKEE -- Homers don’t come by often for Marlins rookie shortstop Xavier Edwards, so when they do, he starts imagining crazy things -- like hitting for the cycle.

Those thoughts crept into his head during the latter innings of Sunday afternoon’s 6-2 loss to the Brewers at American Family Field, where Edwards needed just a single to accomplish the feat for the second time in franchise history.

The 25-year-old Edwards did just that, beating out an infield hit to shortstop Willy Adames with two outs in the ninth against Brewers closer Devin Williams. He had a sprint speed of 29.9 ft/sec on the play (30 ft/sec is considered elite) -- his second-fastest sprint speed of the season.

It marked the third cycle in the Majors this year (Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford on June 30 and Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez on July 21). Edwards joined former teammate Luis Arraez (April 11, 2023) as the only Marlins to achieve the milestone.

“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “I don't think it's really set in yet, but it's pretty cool that I got my first homer to start the game, and then I got to cap it off with a single. I would have been pretty upset with myself if I didn't hit a single. I usually spray a lot of singles, so I would've been pretty upset about not getting a single, so I'm really glad I did.”

Like Arraez, Edwards is a hit collector. His game is more about getting on base than power with his 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame. He has just 14 career Minor League homers, including one this season at Triple-A Jacksonville. Edwards entered with seven career extra-base hits in MLB.

But Edwards, taking over the leadoff spot left vacant by the departure of Jazz Chisholm Jr., ambushed the first pitch of the game -- an 89.8 mph four-seamer from Tobias Myers -- and sent it over the right-field wall for his first career homer. It came in his 185th plate appearance.

“I played with Xavier for a couple of years over in Tampa, so I'm pretty familiar with him,” Myers said. “He's a good hitter. He's always been that way. He's always been able to put the ball in play and make things happen. Tip your cap. Good day for him."

Edwards followed that up with a leadoff walk in the third and a double to left in the fifth. In the seventh, Edwards showcased his speed (28.8 ft/sec) to leg out a triple to the right-center gap.

It was then that first basemen Rhys Hoskins and Josh Bell discussed the possibility of witnessing history. Bell was quick to tell Hoskins why it could happen, citing Edwards’ slow heartbeat.

“I couldn't be happier for him, especially establishing himself as an everyday big leaguer, getting a chance and wanting to make the most of it,” Bell said. “I feel like he's officially established with that.”

Miami acquired Edwards, who was coming off a down season, along with reliever JT Chargois from Tampa Bay for a pair of prospects on Nov. 15, 2022. A fresh start led to success in ‘23, as he was named the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year and had a promising 30-game sample during the club’s postseason push.

A candidate to make the 2024 Opening Day roster in a utility role, Edwards instead spent time on the 60-day injured list with a left foot infection. Once healed, he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville because there wasn’t a spot on the big league roster.

“I'm just happy to be back,” Edwards said. “I missed the first two months of the season back in Spring Training. I couldn't really do anything, not much baseball, not a whole lot of physical activity. So I'm just happy that I can be back, and I'm lucky enough to be here with this good team, good staff.”

Edwards, who took over as the everyday shortstop for veteran Tim Anderson after he was designated for assignment on July 2, is batting .397/.473/.513 in 94 plate appearances with 10 multihit games -- tied for third most in the Majors -- since then.

“He's hitting the ball the other way, he's walking, hitting it with power,” said manager Skip Schumaker, who was with the Padres’ front office when the organization selected him 38th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. “His at-bats are super calm at the plate. There's not much swing and miss. He's never off-balance. He puts it in play. You like him in leverage spots. So he's been outstanding.

“Again, I've said it before: I knew he was going to be pretty good at the plate. I didn't know he was going to be this good at the plate. So you ride the highs as long as you can, and I'm really excited because he's a really good kid. He works hard, and just proud of what he's done with the opportunity he's been given.”