Xavier Edwards

Pound for pound, Edwards might be the most skilled player in the class. The problem is that he's just 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds. A twitchy, switch-hitting infielder, Edwards possesses some of the quickest hands and footwork in the class, turning the double play from shortstop and second base with aplomb. A true, top of the scale runner, Edwards has more than enough range to handle shortstop, but scouts are mixed on whether he has the arm strength to stick at the position, with grades ranging from fringe-average to average. He makes the most of what he has, taking good angles on balls, cutting down ground and using his advanced footwork to put him in ideal throwing positions. He has the athleticism and instincts to make throws from multiple angles and a quick exchange. His speed also plays well on the bases, where he is an aggressive runner. He's been clocked regularly in the 3.9-second range from the lefthanded batter's box to first base--good enough for an 80-grade time--and his hand-eye coordination and quick, simple swing gives him great barrel control. He has good feel to hit from both sides of the plate and should hit for a high average when factoring in his speed, although his power is well below-average with little reason to project more. Power and size won't ever be in Edwards' favor, but he is a player who can impact the game on offense and defense because of his speed and the chance to be an above-average defender at a premium position.