As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season arrives, baseball fans are in for a thrilling conclusion with pivotal postseason and awards races being decided by Sunday. Among the standout players, Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins have been particularly influential as their respective teams push toward the playoffs.
Tommy Edman's Unexpected Impact
Tommy Edman, whose versatility and timely hitting have been a revelation, joined the Los Angeles Dodgers from the St. Louis Cardinals in a mid-season three-team trade involving the White Sox and pitcher Erick Fedde. Despite undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason and later suffering an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman hadn't seen any game action until his late-season return. His impact has been nothing short of impressive.
In his last 15 games, Edman has showcased his prowess by hitting six home runs and stealing three bases. His current stat line with the Dodgers stands at .265/.310/.470 over 31 games, with an even more notable .284/.333/.523 over the last 23 games. Defensively, Edman has been equally versatile, starting in center field (20 starts), shortstop (9 starts), and second base. His contributions have also been quantified as a 1.0 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) over the 31-game span.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn't hide his delight at Edman's performances. “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 stated.
Cedric Mullins' Resurgence
Meanwhile, Cedric Mullins has re-emerged as a key figure for his team following a slow start to the season. As of June 8, Mullins was struggling with a .170/.221/.301 slash line. However, he turned his season around and currently boasts a .228/.299/.404 slash line, including 18 home runs.
Over his last 85 games, Mullins has contributed a positive 2.4 WAR, a significant improvement from his minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games of the season. Reflecting on his journey, Mullins shared, “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 Tigers' Playoff Ambitions
In Detroit, hope springs eternal as the Tigers are on the verge of securing their first wild-card spot since 2014. The young core of the team has been instrumental in this pursuit, with six of Tuesday's starting nine position players being 24 or younger.
The injury to Javier Báez on August 22 has seen Trey Sweeney step up as the starting shortstop. Sweeney, a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, was acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers. Since Báez's season-ending hip injury, Sweeney has started 29 of 32 games and posted a promising .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
Adding to the Tigers' enthusiasm is the recent call-up of top prospect Jackson Jobe, whose potential has fans and analysts eager to see how he might contribute to the Tigers’ postseason hunt.
As the clock winds down on the regular season, the contributions of players like Edman, Mullins, and the youthful energy within the Tigers' roster are making for an electrifying finale. These storylines encapsulate the unpredictable and exhilarating spirit of baseball as teams vie for their shot at October glory.