MIAMI -- Xavier Edwards … slugger?
The Marlins caused double takes by inserting contact hitter Edwards into the cleanup spot of Monday night’s 5-3 victory over the Cardinals at loanDepot park.
So often the tablesetting leadoff batter, Edwards has hit behind Jakob Marsee or further down in the order against lefty starters in 2026. For Monday’s series opener, manager Clayton McCullough slotted 2025 All-Star Kyle Stowers in the No. 2 spot in his second game back from the injured list, moving Edwards down to fourth -- a spot typically reserved for power bats -- for the first time in his career.
It’s an idea McCullough proposed to Edwards a couple of days ago, leading up to Stowers’ return. The decision is based on a combination of the club’s left-handed-heavy roster, the opposing starter and bullpen construction as well as Edwards’ hit tool.
“The lineup will be fluid, maybe not day to day, but it could be within [the] series, who's playing, who we're facing,” McCullough said. “We just wanted to get Stowers up towards the top to see what they want to do the third time, and give him an extra at-bat or so in a game. And then also, I think 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.”
In the first look of this lineup construction, Edwards reached base three times and was part of three of Miami’s four run-scoring innings.
After grounding out to first to open the second, Edwards returned to the plate with Stowers at second with two outs in the fourth. Miami trailed 1-0 and had yet to pick up a hit.
The switch-hitting Edwards got a hold of righty Michael McGreevy’s four-seamer over the heart of the plate, sending it to the left-center gap. The ball hopped off the warning track and over for a game-tying RBI double.
“Just try to treat all my at-bats the same,” Edwards said. “The goal is to get on base, or if there's guys in scoring position, drive the runs in, or set the table, whatever it is that's asked of me. I'm just trying to set myself up to cash in on whatever opportunities that I have. And that's kind of the mindset I go with every at-bat, just different times of day that I'm stepping in. But it's the same box, same pitchers. So it's no different.”
The profile of Edwards’ opposite-field hit is something the Marlins have seen often this season.
When Edwards flirted with the batting title last season, he sold out for power by getting pull-happy and saw his average dip. So far in 2026, he has seen pitches deeper and sent them into the air. With a focus on executing a plus swing, Edwards wants to end at-bats on his terms for better quality contact.
The data supports Edwards’ approach. Entering Monday, he had the best squared-up rate (per swing) among qualifiers at 42.8% (up from 31.5% in 2025). His exit velocity has increased from 86.8 to 90.2 mph, a +3.4 mph jump that tied for ninth among qualifiers.
“If I can keep my lines through the big part of the field, then that could help me cover multiple pitches, and be able to drive the ball to left-center and help me stay on balls to right field or right-center,” Edwards said.
Added McCullough: “He's a really good hitter [and] as he's continuing to get time in the Major Leagues, he's getting better. He's evolving, and he's stronger. I think he's physically in a better place than he was last year. His swing is in a really good place. He has now the ability to do some things on that side of the field where it's tougher now to challenge him in left field than in the past, where he still can certainly get a lot of hits that way. The threat of being able to beat guys over their head that way should open up more for him.”
When the Marlins coughed up a lead in the sixth, they recaptured it in the bottom half of the frame on middle-infield partner Otto Lopez’s RBI double. Edwards followed with a walk. In the eighth, both reached on a walk.
Between Edwards and Lopez, they make one of the Majors’ most productive duos. The pair has combined for 57 hits, including 18 for extra bases, 25 runs and rank in the Top 10 in average.
“It's good wherever in the lineup I'm in and wherever he is,” said Lopez, who entered Monday with the highest fWAR (1.2) among qualifying MLB shortstops. “He's been doing very good. Just to get him on base, or get me on base, it's both great for the team.”