The final week of the 2024 MLB regular season has arrived, and all eyes are on the races to clinch postseason berths and individual awards. Among the players making headlines is Tommy Edman, whose late-season performance has been nothing short of electrifying.
Edman, an essential acquisition for the Dodgers from the Cardinals in a three-team trade with the White Sox, has showcased his versatility and prowess both at the plate and in the field. Despite undergoing offseason wrist surgery and suffering an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman has been on a tear. In his last 15 games, he has hit six home runs and stolen three bases, elevating his slash line to .284/.333/.523 over the past 23 games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts weighed in on Edman's impact, noting, “Really surprised with the power. I know that he has an apt to put the barrel on the ball. Certainly versatile defensively. But in the batter's box, he just really takes good at-bats. He's hit six or seven homers for us already in a short period of time and they all seem like they were big. He's gotten a lot of big hits for us.”
Edman's ability to adapt quickly and produce in high-pressure situations has helped him contribute significantly to the Dodgers' efforts. In the 31 games since joining the team, Edman has maintained a .265/.310/.470 line, recording a 1.0 WAR while starting in various positions, including center field, shortstop, and second base.
A Tale of Resurgence: Cedric Mullins
Another player capturing attention is Cedric Mullins of the Orioles. Mullins, who had a dismal .170/.221/.301 slash line on June 8, has turned his season around remarkably. Now, with an overall .228/.299/.404 slash including 18 home runs, he boasts a positive 2.4 WAR in his last 85 games. This is a stark contrast to his minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games of the season.
Mullins attributes his resurgence to a shift in mindset. “I think the biggest part was for me to stop chasing that season (30-30 in 2021). That season was awesome, but at the same time, I think the reason I'm putting up numbers that are similar to it is because I'm no longer chasing that guy. I'm just being who I am,” Mullins reflected.
Tigers on the Brink
The Detroit Tigers are on the threshold of a significant achievement, poised to secure a wild-card spot and potentially their first playoff berth since 2014. A noteworthy aspect of their success is the youth and dynamism of their roster; six of Tuesday's starting nine position players were 24 years old or younger.
Among these young stars is Trey Sweeney, who stepped into the starting shortstop role after Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22. Acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, Sweeney has started 29 of the 32 games since Báez's injury. Sweeney, a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, has demonstrated his potential, recording a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
The Tigers' farm system also provided a boost by calling up top prospect Jackson Jobe recently, further underscoring the team's bright future. The integration of these young talents has been instrumental in the Tigers' march toward the postseason.
As the regular season concludes, the performances of players like Edman, Mullins, and the young Tigers' roster exemplify the drama and excitement of baseball. Their contributions and resilience have not only propelled their teams but also offered a glimpse of what to expect in the high-stakes postseason to come.