As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season arrives, the stage is set for high-stakes action with postseason and awards races set to be decided by Sunday. Amidst this climatic period, the spotlight shines brightly on Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins, whose recent performances have been nothing short of remarkable.
Tommy Edman's Resurgence
Tommy Edman’s journey this season has been a rollercoaster. The versatile player joined the Dodgers from the Cardinals in a three-team trade involving the White Sox and Erick Fedde. Edman, who underwent offseason wrist surgery and suffered an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, hadn't seen any game action until his late-season burst. But when he returned, he made an immediate impact.
In his last 15 games leading into Tuesday, Edman has hit six home runs and stolen three bases, showcasing his all-around capabilities. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn't help but praise him: "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 has accumulated a .265/.310/.470 line in 31 games with the Dodgers, but more impressively, his last 23 games have seen him slash .284/.333/.523. His defensive versatility is another asset, having started in center field (20 starts), shortstop (9 starts), and second base. This multifaceted contribution has led to a 1.0 WAR over 31 games, signaling his significance in the Dodgers' lineup.
Cedric Mullins' Return to Form
For Cedric Mullins, the season has been a tale of two halves. On June 8, he was struggling with a .170/.221/.301 slash line, reflective of a minus-0.4 WAR over the season's first 57 games. However, Mullins has since turned his season around, boasting a positive 2.4 WAR in his last 85 games. Overall, his slash line now stands at .228/.299/.404 with 18 home runs to his name.
Mullins himself reflected on his shift in mindset and performance: "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 Push
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are on the verge of securing a wild-card spot, potentially marking their first playoff berth since 2014. A significant part of their recent success can be attributed to a youthful core that has taken on significant roles. Six of Tuesday's starting nine position players for the Tigers were 24 or younger, showcasing the team's reliance on emerging talent.
One such talent is Trey Sweeney, who stepped up as the starting shortstop following Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22. Sweeney, acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers and a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, has started 29 of 32 games since Báez went down. Sweeney's minor league numbers, with a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A, including 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games, suggested his readiness for the big leagues.
Adding to their youthful core, the Tigers' farm system recently called up top prospect Jackson Jobe, hoping to further replenish their roster with fresh talent as they aim to finish the season strong.
As the 2024 MLB regular season nears its conclusion, the narratives surrounding players like Tommy Edman, Cedric Mullins, and the Detroit Tigers epitomize the drama and unpredictability that makes baseball so captivating. Whether it's Edman's resilience, Mullins' resurgence, or the Tigers’ youth driving them toward the playoffs, fans have much to look forward to in this final week and beyond.