As the 2024 MLB regular season draws to a close, the tension is palpable with postseason dreams and individual accolades hanging in the balance. Central to this drama has been Tommy Edman, a mid-season acquisition by the Dodgers, whose recent form has added much-needed firepower and versatility to the team.
Edman, secured in a three-team trade that also involved the Cardinals and the White Sox, has been nothing short of a revelation. Despite undergoing offseason wrist surgery and suffering an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman had made no appearances until his late-season surge. However, his performances upon his return have demonstrated his resilience and utility in the field. Over his last 15 games, Edman has blasted six home runs and swiped three bases, underscoring his impact on both sides of the ball.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts lauded Edman's recent contributions, 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.”
Edman's offensive stats reflect his impressive comeback. He boasts a .265/.310/.470 slash line over 31 games with the Dodgers, improving to .284/.333/.523 in his last 23 games. His defensive flexibility has also been crucial, with starts in center field, shortstop, and second base. His 1.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 31 games is a testament to his multifaceted contributions.
Another player making headlines in this critical juncture is Cedric Mullins. At the beginning of June, Mullins was struggling with a .170/.221/.301 line, raising concerns about his season. Fast forward to the final week, and Mullins has turned it around to an overall .228/.299/.404 slash line, including 18 home runs. His WAR is positive 2.4 over his last 85 games—a stark contrast to the minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games of the season.
Mullins, reflecting on his journey, noted, “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.”
On the team front, the Detroit Tigers are on the brink of securing a wild-card spot, aiming for their first playoff berth since 2014. The youthful exuberance of the team is evident, with six of their starting nine position players aged 24 or younger. Following Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22, Trey Sweeney stepped up as the starting shortstop, starting 29 of the subsequent 32 games. Acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, Sweeney was a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021. His time in Triple-A saw him post a respectable .267/.345/.450 slash line, with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
Recent call-ups from the Tigers' farm system have also played a role, including top prospect Jackson Jobe, adding to the anticipation and excitement of a potential playoff run.
The end of the 2024 MLB regular season isn't just about teams vying for postseason spots or players chasing individual awards; it's also about the underlying stories of perseverance, adaptation, and seizing opportunities at the right moment. With players like Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins exemplifying these narratives, and teams such as the Detroit Tigers on the cusp of a significant milestone, this final week promises an electrifying conclusion to a thrilling season.