As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season approaches, team dynamics and player performances are at the forefront of the baseball narrative. With postseason ambitions on the line, the actions of a few can have far-reaching implications.
Tommy Edman, who was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a multi-team deal involving the White Sox and Erick Fedde, is a notable figure this season. Edman has been a revelation in his recent games, showcasing a combination of power and speed that has rejuvenated his game. Hitting six home runs and stealing three bases in his last 15 games is a testament to his prowess at the plate.
Edman’s journey has been anything but smooth. After undergoing offseason wrist surgery and suffering an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman only started participating in games in the latter part of the season. Despite these challenges, he has put up an impressive .265/.310/.470 line over 31 games with the Dodgers. Notably, his performance has peaked in the last 23 games, boasting a .284/.333/.523 line.
Versatility has been Edman’s key to contributing on the field. He has started in various positions—center field, shortstop, and second base—over his 31 games, and his contributions have been critical, evidenced by his 1.0 WAR. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Edman's unexpected power and timely contributions: "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.”
Meanwhile, Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles has experienced a season of stark contrasts. Having had a sluggish start with a .170/.221/.301 slash line as of June 8, Mullins has since transformed his season. Currently holding a .228/.299/.404 line with 18 home runs, his overall contribution is more apparent when examining his recent performance. Over the last 85 games, Mullins has posted a positive 2.4 WAR, a significant turnaround from his minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games of the season.
Mullins attributes this 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.”
The Detroit Tigers also find themselves at a critical juncture. On the cusp of securing a wild-card spot, the Tigers are vying for their first playoff berth since 2014. With six of Tuesday’s starting nine position players being 24 or younger, the future seems promising. Trey Sweeney, stepping in as the starting shortstop following Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22, has certainly made his presence felt. Sweeney, acquired from the Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade, has started 29 of 32 games since the injury and is proving his worth. In Triple-A this year, Sweeney had a solid .267/.345/.450 slash line, with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
Moreover, the Tigers have recently called up top prospect Jackson Jobe from their farm system, further adding to the excitement and potential for the team as they aim to cement their place in the postseason.
As the final days of the regular season unfold, the MLB landscape is rife with stories of resilience, transformation, and youthful promise. Each game now holds the weight of an entire season’s ambitions, with players like Edman, Mullins, and the young Tigers shaping the narrative. Their contributions on the diamond will undoubtedly be pivotal as teams look to clinch their spots in the postseason and make their mark in baseball history.