Xavier Edwards Shines Amidst Miami Marlins' Struggles

In a challenging season for the Miami Marlins, who find themselves at the bottom of the standings and have traded several key players, rookie Xavier Edwards has emerged as a bright spot. On Sunday, Edwards made history by becoming only the second player in Marlins history to hit for the cycle, achieving this feat during a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The 24-year-old began his cycle with a home run on the first pitch of the game and completed it with a single in the ninth inning. Edwards' accomplishment is particularly notable as he follows in the footsteps of Luis Arraez, the only other Marlins player to hit for the cycle, who did so last April. Since then, the Marlins have traded Arraez to the San Diego Padres and have recently dealt reliever A.J. Puk to Arizona and center fielder Jazz Chisholm to the New York Yankees. With Chisholm's departure, Edwards has stepped into the leadoff role, showcasing his potential as a key player for the team. The young shortstop, who turns 25 in August, was a first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2018 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. After a solid performance in his debut season with the Marlins, Edwards has excelled this year, boasting a .379 batting average and a .956 OPS in 105 plate appearances. His cycle marks the third in Major League Baseball for the 2024 season, highlighting his impressive rise in the league.