As the 2024 MLB regular season zooms towards its conclusion, fans are eagerly watching to see how postseason spots and individual accolades will be clinched by Sunday. Among the gripping storylines, Tommy Edman's remarkable late-season performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers stands out, promising to influence both the playoff picture and end-of-season awards.
Tommy Edman’s Surprising Surge
Traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Dodgers in the intricate Erick Fedde trade with the White Sox, Edman has made an immediate impact. Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to offseason wrist surgery and a subsequent ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman has proved his worth in a mere 31 games. Sporting a solid .265/.310/.470 line with the Dodgers, Edman’s return to the field has been electrifying.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commended Edman’s unexpected power and consistent contribution. “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,” Roberts reflected.
Versatility has been Edman's hallmark, with 20 starts in center field, nine at shortstop, and a handful at second base. His overall performance boasts a .284/.333/.523 line over the last 23 games and a commendable 1.0 WAR over 31 games, underscoring his value to the Dodgers' playoff ambitions.
Cedric Mullins’ Steady Climb
Meanwhile, Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles has had a roller-coaster year. From a dismal .170/.221/.301 slash on June 8 to a respectable .228/.299/.404 including 18 home runs, Mullins has shown resilience. Early struggles had pegged his WAR at minus-0.4 over the first 57 games, but a strong turnaround in the latter half of the season has bolstered his figure to a positive 2.4 WAR in his last 85 games.
Reflecting on his journey, Mullins shared, “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.” This self-acceptance has undoubtedly played a role in his late-season success, making him a pivotal player to watch as the season wraps up.
Tigers Eyeing Wild-Card Glory
The Detroit Tigers are another intriguing team on the cusp of a significant milestone. With a young roster featuring six starting position players aged 24 or younger, the Tigers are on the verge of securing a wild-card spot. If successful, this would mark their first playoff berth since 2014, a much-anticipated return to postseason action for Detroit fans.
Trey Sweeney, a key mid-season acquisition, has taken on the role of starting shortstop following Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22. Acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, Sweeney has filled the gap admirably with starts in 29 of 32 games since joining the Tigers. With a promising .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals over 107 games, Sweeney is proving to be a valuable asset for the future.
Additionally, the Tigers bolstered their roster with the recent call-up of top prospect Jackson Jobe, signaling the organization's commitment to building a strong, youthful team capable of competing at the highest levels.
As the final week unfolds, the performances of key players like Tommy Edman, Cedric Mullins, and the youthful Tigers will be crucial in shaping the landscape of the postseason. Fans and analysts alike will be watching with bated breath as the drama of baseball's most exciting time of the year reaches its climax.