Miami Marlins' Xavier Edwards’ number retired by North Broward Prep (Florida)
COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA – Xavier Edwards has a message for aspiring high school baseball players: Stay diligent and dreams can come true.
Edwards is proof.
The 24-year-old infielder, who now plays for the Miami Marlins, was honored by his former high school.
North Broward Prep officially retired Edwards’ number.
“Your dream absolutely can come true,” Edwards said.
At North Broward Prep’s baseball field, “Edwards No. 9,” is displayed on the fence in left-center field.
It’s the first time North Broward Prep has retired a baseball players’ number.
Miami Marlins' infielder Xavier Edwards displays his No. 9 North Broward Prep Jersey, retired by his high school.
Photo by Joe Frisaro
“Just keep working, and putting the time in,” Edwards said in an exclusive interview with SBLive Sports. “Stay diligent. Surround yourself with good people. Good coaches that believe in you, and you’ll be amazed at what happens. As long as you believe in yourself and have people around you that believe in you, there’s really nothing that you can’t reach.”
The retirement ceremony came before North Broward Prep’s preseason game against West Boca.
As a prep star, Edwards was one of the top prep players in the country.
A switch-hitting middle infielder, Edwards batted .406 with 24 stolen bases, 43 runs scored and 46 RBIs in 2018, his senior season.
“He changed the direction of this program when he decided to call North Broward Prep home,” North Broward Prep coach Brian Campbell said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t win a state title when he was here. But he has a direct impact on state titles that we do have, because he made North Broward a cool place to play baseball.”
The San Diego Padres selected Edwards with the 38th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
In his high school career, Edwards actually won a state title as a sophomore at Trinity Christian Academy (Lake Worth). Afterwards, he transferred to North Broward Prep, where he played two seasons.
As a junior, the Eagles were a sub-.500 program, sporting an 11-16 record. In 2018, the fortunes changed. The Eagles finished 22-9, and were a win away from qualifying for the state semifinals.
The Eagles have been a premiere program ever since, and are usually nationally ranked.
As part of Monday’s ceremonies, Edwards threw out the first pitch. The Eagles went on to beat West Boca Raton, 8-0.
About 10 scouts were on hand to see right-hander Mateo Gray and third baseman Riley Luft, among others.
In addition to being retired by North Broward Prep baseball, XavierEdwards' No. 9 has also been hung on the outfield fence at the school's baseball field.
Photo by Joe Frisaro
“It means a ton,” Edwards said of having his number retired. “I remember transferring here my junior year fresh off a state title at my old school. I didn’t know what to expect transferring to a new school.
“We actually weren’t really any good my junior year, but there were endless memories I made here. Sure enough, my senior year, we ended up breaking the school record in wins. We were one win away from going to states. We’ve come a complete 180, and our program has been flourishing ever since.”
North Broward Prep won back-to-back state titles in 2021-22, and last year, a bid for a three-peat ended in the state finals, with a loss to Clearwater Calvary Christian.
For Edwards, even in a losing season in 2017, he made an immediate impact.
While addressing the crowd on Monday, Campbell noted that his former star infielder hit an inside the park home run in his very first game.
Fast forward to the 2018 season, in Edwards’ final prep game, he belted a home run that cleared the fence. That big hit came in a regional finals loss to Monsignor Pace (Miami).
Why No. 9?
“It’s my mom’s favorite number,” Edwards said. “I’ve worn that number my whole life. It’s been a big part of my journey as a baseball player, and as an athlete.”
Edwards’ baseball dream has brought him back to South Florida.
The Marlins acquired Edwards in November of 2022 from the Tampa Bay Rays. The infielder is now expected to have a role on the Major League roster as a utility player.
Spring Training for Edwards opens next week up the road, about a 30-minute drive from North Broward Prep to Jupiter, Florida.
“It’s huge to be back home with my hometown team,” Edwards said. “My parents can come to games. I have family and friends that are here that can shoot down to Spring Training or shoot to a big-league game down in Miami.”
For Edwards, Monday night was a chance to revisit his high school, and catch up with some old friends.
“It’s a great day,” Edwards said. “I’m happy that they’ve acknowledged me, but I’m just more happy to be back here on campus, to see the coaches, and see the team.”
