The San Diego Padres drafted shortstop Xavier Edwards with the 38th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Edwards attended North Broward Prep in Coconut Creek, Florida and was the #27 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline. Edwards was recommended by area scout Brian Cruz.
Edwards is listed at five-foot-ten, 155 lbs., and projects as a top-of-the-order type of hitter. MLB Pipeline gave him a 70-grade for speed and 60 in the field. In his senior season, Edwards hit .406 with a .532 on-base percentage, to go with 24 stolen bases.
The scouting report on MLB Pipeline said this about Edwards: “His speed is his best tool, an easy plus that allows him to get down the line in a hurry and be a base-stealing threat. He has a contact-oriented approach and uses all fields well, and while he’s not likely to be a home run threat, he could grow into his frame for more extra-base pop.
Edwards has a commitment to Vanderbilt — just like first-rounder Ryan Weathers — and both of his parents are educators, so it may take a hefty financial commitment to pry him away for college. The slot value for the pick is $1.88 million.
