As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season arrives, the spotlight is on key players and teams fighting for postseason berths and individual honors. Among these standout performances, the resurgence of Tommy Edman has captured attention for its timeliness and impact.
Edman's Late-Season Surge
In his last 15 games leading up to Tuesday, Tommy Edman has displayed both power and speed, hitting six home runs and stealing three bases. Edman, who was acquired by the Dodgers from the Cardinals in the three-team Erick Fedde trade involving the White Sox, had a challenging start to his season. After offseason wrist surgery and an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman had not seen any game action until his recent burst.
The versatile player has since maintained a robust .265/.310/.470 slash line in 31 games with the Dodgers. His recent performance has been even more impressive, boasting a .284/.333/.523 line over his last 23 games. Edman’s contributions have been multifaceted; he has started in center field (20 starts), shortstop (nine starts), and second base, compiling a 1.0 WAR during this 31-game span.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Edman's unexpected power, stating, "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."
Mullins Finds His Groove
Cedric Mullins has also provided a key storyline this season. After struggling with a .170/.221/.301 slash line on June 8, Mullins has rebounded to post a more respectable .228/.299/.404 overall slash, including 18 home runs. His season is a tale of two halves: Mullins recorded a negative 0.4 WAR over his first 57 games but has turned it around with a positive 2.4 WAR in his last 85 games. Reflecting on his improvement, Mullins said, “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.”
Tigers' Youth Movement and Playoff Push
The Detroit Tigers are also on the brink of a significant achievement, eyeing their first playoff berth since 2014. With a wild-card spot within reach, six of Tuesday's starting nine position players were 24 or younger, highlighting the youth movement in Detroit. Trey Sweeney has become a key component of this youthful roster, stepping in as the starting shortstop after Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22. Sweeney, acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, has started 29 of 32 games since Báez's injury. A former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, Sweeney has demonstrated his potential with a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games. The Tigers' farm system has recently bolstered the roster further by calling up top prospect Jackson Jobe.
As the final week unfolds, the Dodgers, Orioles, and Tigers each have significant contributions from their players that are shaping their postseason destinies. Tommy Edman’s late-season heroics, Cedric Mullins' resurgence, and the youthful infusion in Detroit all paint a picture of a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 MLB regular season.