I’m starting off the Rays’ Player Spotlights with the newly acquired minor leaguer, Xavier Edwards. Edwards is a 20-year old shortstop from Mineola, NY. He’s a switch-hitter that throws right handed and can swing the bat really well. Xavier attended North Broward Prep School in Cocunut Creek, Florida where he batted .406 as a senior in high school and swiped 24 bases. This kid has tools for days and the scouts took notice. Edwards was committed to play collegiate ball at Vanderbilt University, but instead he signed with the San Diego Padres after they drafted him with the 38th overall pick in the 2018 draft.
He has excelled as a professional so far as he hit .336 and was named a Midwest League All-Star as a member of the Fort Wayne Tin Caps. He was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm and hit .301 in 46 games with the club. During the 2019 offseason, the Rays acquired Edwards in a trade that included Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe.
I’m very excited to see this kid navigate through the Rays’ farm system. With the skill set he clearly has and the Rays’ ability to get the most out of their young players, I believe Edwards is going to breeze through the minors and become a member of the big league club in no more than 3 years. He was a huge acquisition for the club in the long run.
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