The final week of the 2024 MLB regular season has arrived, setting the stage for high-stakes action as postseason ambitions and awards races come to a head. Among the key players to watch is Tommy Edman, who has made a significant impact since joining the Dodgers in a three-team trade involving the Cardinals and the White Sox.
Edman's Resilient Comeback
Tommy Edman has demonstrated remarkable resilience this season. After undergoing offseason wrist surgery and sustaining an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman had not seen any game action until late in the season. Nonetheless, he has managed to turn heads with his performance, hitting six home runs and stealing three bases in his last 15 games. Edman's late-season contribution has propelled him into a crucial role for the Dodgers.
The versatile infielder has started in center field (20 starts), shortstop (9 starts), and second base, showcasing his defensive flexibility. In 31 games with the Dodgers, he has posted a .265/.310/.470 line, while his last 23 games have seen even better numbers, with a .284/.333/.523 slash. This performance has contributed to a 1.0 WAR over the 31-game span.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts lauded Edman's unexpected power-hitting prowess, 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' Redemption Arc
Cedric Mullins, another player to watch, has turned his season around dramatically. On June 8, Mullins was struggling with a .170/.221/.301 slash line. However, he has since rebounded, posting a .228/.299/.404 overall slash including 18 home runs. His resurgence is highlighted by a positive 2.4 WAR in his last 85 games, a significant improvement from the minus-0.4 WAR over his first 57 games of the season.
Mullins reflected on his turnaround, attributing it to a change 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,” he explained.
Tigers Eyeing the Playoffs
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are on the cusp of securing a wild-card spot, eyeing their first playoff berth since 2014. Youth has been a key element of their success, with six of Tuesday's starting nine position players being 24 or younger. This blend of youthful energy and seasoned talent has positioned the Tigers favorably as they head into the season's final stretch.
Notably, Trey Sweeney has stepped up as the starting shortstop following Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22. Acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, Sweeney has started 29 of 32 games since Báez's injury. The former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021 has a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
The Tigers also showcased their commitment to youth by calling up top prospect Jackson Jobe recently. This infusion of young talent from their farm system demonstrates the organization's strategic focus on building a competitive team for both the present and future.
As the curtain falls on the 2024 MLB regular season, the performances of players like Edman, Mullins, and the youthful Tigers squad will be pivotal. Their contributions in these final games could very well determine the landscape of the postseason, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to the season for fans and teams alike.