As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season unfolds, fans are bracing for a whirlwind of high-stakes matchups that will determine the postseason landscape and individual accolades. Among the standout performances leading into this decisive week, Tommy Edman’s resurgence with the Dodgers has been nothing short of impressive.
Tommy Edman's Remarkable Comeback
Edman’s journey this season has been a testament to perseverance and talent. After undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason and suffering an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman had a prolonged absence from the game. Yet, since returning, he has made an indelible mark. In his last 15 games, Edman has crushed six home runs and swiped three bases, showcasing a full spectrum of his capabilities.
Joining the Dodgers from the Cardinals in the three-team Erick Fedde trade with the White Sox, Edman has since posted a solid .265/.310/.470 line over 31 games. With a significant .284/.333/.523 line in his last 23 games, he has proven to be a consistent force in the lineup. His defensive versatility has been an asset, starting in center field (20 starts), shortstop (9 starts), and second base. This flexibility, coupled with his offensive contributions, has enabled him to accumulate a 1.0 WAR over this period.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his admiration for Edman's impact. "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 remarked.
Cedric Mullins' Resilience
Another player making headlines is Cedric Mullins. After a rough beginning to the season, sporting a .170/.221/.301 slash line on June 8, Mullins has turned his season around impressively. He now boasts an overall .228/.299/.404 line with 18 home runs. Mullins has recorded a positive 2.4 WAR in his last 85 games, a stark contrast to his minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games.
Mullins attributes his 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," Mullins shared.
The Detroit Tigers' Youth Movement
As the season winds down, the Detroit Tigers find themselves on the cusp of a wild-card spot, aiming for their first playoff berth since 2014. This potential success has been fueled in part by their youthful roster; six of the nine starters in Tuesday’s game were 24 or younger.
The team's newfound energy came following a crucial mid-season move that saw Trey Sweeney stepping up as the starting shortstop after Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22. Acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, Sweeney, who was a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, has been a steady presence since his debut, starting 29 out of 32 games. His performance in Triple-A this year – a .267/.345/.450 slash line with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games – hinted at his readiness for the major league challenge.
Adding to their prospect pool, the Tigers recently called up top prospect Jackson Jobe, signaling their commitment to nurturing young talent as they vie for a postseason spot.
As the curtain falls on the 2024 regular season, the performances of players like Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins, along with the youthful vigor of the Detroit Tigers, serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and thrilling nature of baseball. Fans can only wait in anticipation to see how these stories will unfold and impact the postseason race.