This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola's Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Less than two years ago, Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards actualized his dream of reaching the Major Leagues. Ever since that momentous occasion, he can’t help but wonder how many more kids could have achieved the same had there been more opportunities growing up.

Edwards did his part last month by holding the seventh annual Xavier Edwards Baseball Camp for around 170 kids at his alma mater, North Broward Preparatory School, where Major League friends like Triston McKenzie, Mark Vientos, Nick Fortes, Griffin Conine and Jesús Luzardo volunteered. For a fourth year, Edwards paired the camp with a showcase so about 65 athletes could be seen by representatives from colleges like Nova and Barry.

Both events were free.

“I hope [it makes] a really big impact,” Edwards said. “Get more kids in the area to play baseball, just have some kind of representation that it can be done, that kids from right in your backyard are making it in the Major Leagues and playing well, and that kind of thing is not something they can't accomplish. And that's really the goal.

“Ideally, kids of color as well, to get more kids of color playing baseball. But more kids in general to have fun playing baseball. I think it's a cool sport to play -- not just football, basketball. Kids enjoy playing the game that's given so much to all of us.”

Edwards has been in an introspective mood since his breakout season. After earning a cup of coffee in 2023 and being named the organization’s Triple-A MVP, he missed several months with a left foot infection to start 2024 before becoming the Marlins’ starting shortstop on July 2.

Given his first chance at regular playing time at the MLB level, Edwards didn’t disappoint. He recorded a slash line of .328/.397/.423 with a 124 OPS+ in 70 games. His batting average would have ranked second in the Majors, behind American League MVP runner-up Bobby Witt Jr. (.332), had he qualified. His 31 steals tied for seventh in the National League.

But advanced metrics weren’t kind to Edwards at shortstop, the position he played in high school when the Padres selected him 38th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. According to MLB Pipeline’s scouting report in 2023, Edwards' quickness allows him to cover ground in the infield, but his fringy arm strength limits his effectiveness on the left side of the infield.

This was nothing new to Edwards. Since sustaining a shoulder impingement in 2022 during his time in the Rays’ organization, getting his arm back in shape had been a work in progress. It didn’t matter how much arm care he did or anti-inflammatories he took. Edwards resigned himself to playing through it, though it clearly affected his velocity and accuracy.

“There were days I didn't want to throw at all,” Edwards said. “It was uncomfortable to throw. You just have to deal with it and do whatever you can to be available and get through it, but at the same time, now in the offseason I have down time, so this is my chance to get it right.”

The 25-year-old Edwards reached out to Maxx Garrett, the Marlins’ director of catching who previously worked at Driveline, for a detailed throwing program to go along with his hitting routine and core work.

Four to five days a week for the past seven weeks, Edwards has been making 35-40 throws on a lighter day and 65 on the others. After watching video, Edwards changed his grip and release to get more backspin and carry. The next step in his progression will be making throws while fielding grounders.

“Best it's felt in years,” Edwards said. “It's not bothering me to throw at all, so it's quite nice to throw a baseball without pain. I get to really think about my mechanics and what I want out of it.”

Edwards’ healthy arm makes him even more confident entering 2025. With all that happened in 2024 -- both the good and the bad -- he gained valuable wisdom and experience.

Hosting the camp took Edwards back to his youth, when he once was the kid seeking guidance from a big leaguer. It was easy to remember the journey it took to get to where he is today.

“I'm in such a fortunate position,” Edwards said. “We play a game that we love. We're at the level that we've always wanted to get to. I'm on the hometown team. I'm so fortunate. There's so many things that you know you can complain about and say haven't gone your way, but this kind of perspective, I could bring that in next year. I've been in the big leagues long enough to kind of know what to expect. So just taking that going forward. And just being grateful.”