As the 2024 MLB regular season draws to a close, the tension is palpable with postseason dreams and individual accolades on the line. Among the players making headlines, Tommy Edman's late-season performance epitomizes the drama and unpredictability of baseball.
The Tommy Edman Surge
Tommy Edman's recent form has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the last 15 games leading up to Tuesday, Edman has slammed six home runs and swiped three bases, showing a blend of power and speed that has electrified the Dodgers' fan base. Acquired from the Cardinals in a three-team trade involving the White Sox and Erick Fedde, Edman has quickly become a pivotal figure for the Dodgers.
Edman's journey this season has not been without its challenges. Following offseason wrist surgery and a subsequent ankle injury during his rehab, he hadn't seen any game action before his recent surge. Despite these setbacks, he has posted an impressive .265/.310/.470 line in 31 games with the Dodgers, which has improved to .284/.333/.523 over his last 23 games. His versatility on the field is noteworthy, having started in center field (20 starts), shortstop (9 starts), and second base, contributing a solid 1.0 WAR in the process.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Edman's impact, saying, "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."
The Cedric Mullins Comeback
Another player making waves is Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles. Mullins, who had a dismal .170/.221/.301 slash line on June 8, has since turned his season around significantly. His overall season stats now stand at .228/.299/.404 with 18 home runs, a testament to his resilience and tenacity. Over the last 85 games, Mullins has amassed a positive 2.4 WAR, a stark contrast to the minus-0.4 WAR he recorded in the first 57 games.
Mullins attributes his resurgence to a shift in mindset, saying, "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."
The Detroit Tigers' Youth Movement
The Detroit Tigers are on the brink of a significant milestone, with a wild-card spot within their grasp. This potential playoff berth would be the Tigers' first since 2014. The team's push is powered by a youthful core, with six of Tuesday's starting nine position players being 24 or younger. After veteran shortstop Javier Báez’s season-ending hip injury on August 22, Trey Sweeney stepped up as the starting shortstop. Sweeney, who was acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers and was a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, has started 29 of 32 games since Báez's injury.
Sweeney’s performance has been solid, posting a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games. This blend of potential and production has given Tigers' fans plenty to be excited about as they inch closer to postseason play.
Additionally, the Tigers' farm system has provided a boost with the recent call-up of top prospect Jackson Jobe. Jobe's arrival marks another step forward in what has been a season of youth-driven resurgence for Detroit.
With the final week of the regular season underway, the stakes could not be higher. Teams and players across the league are making their final pushes, with fans hanging on every pitch, swing, and catch. As the dust settles, the heroics of players like Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins, along with the youthful vigor of the Detroit Tigers, will undoubtedly be etched into the annals of this season's storied history.