The dog days of summer have arrived in Major League Baseball, with less than seven weeks remaining in the regular season. As teams battle for postseason berths, every game has taken on added significance. The July 30 trade deadline saw significant moves, and several players are now stepping into new roles—either by necessity or by design.
The Hernández Adjustment
One such player is Enrique Hernández, who has found himself in a more prominent role at third base following Max Muncy's oblique injury. Hernández, who approached the All-Star break with an underwhelming .191/.258/.299 batting line, also revealed he has astigmatism in his right eye. Seeking advice from his peers, Hernández learned that "(Maldonado) told me that him and a couple of his teammates needed glasses, and they didn't really know through the spring training test. They went through a more thorough test [to learn they needed glasses]. So I was like, 'All right, I'm gonna try it out.'"
After being fitted for eyeglasses, Hernández saw noticeable improvements, particularly in his contact and chase rates. His performance has been crucial in filling the gap left by Muncy, who has begun a minor-league rehab assignment. Upon Muncy's return, Hernández is expected to slide back into his versatile utility role, but his recent contributions at third base have certainly not gone unnoticed.
Melendez's High-Leverage Heroics
Another player under the microscope is MJ Melendez, who has a .205/.267/.403 slash line and a performance 28% below league average when adjusted for ballpark conditions. For left fielders, the league averages stand at .243/.314/.398, highlighting Melendez’s struggles at the plate. However, Melendez has excelled in high-leverage situations. He ranks sixth in weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) in such scenarios among hitters with at least 25 appearances in high-leverage moments.
Melendez recently demonstrated his clutch capabilities by hitting a go-ahead, pinch-hit, three-run home run with the Royals down 2-0 and two outs in the ninth inning against Detroit. This hit ranks as the third-biggest in baseball this season and the largest non-walk-off hit of the year. Melendez has been responsible for three of Kansas City's nine biggest hits by Clutch-Performed Action (CPA) this season. Reflecting on his role, Melendez said, "I like to be in those situations. It is do or die, and that's a lot of fun. I'm going to be ready late in games, whether they need me to hit or play defense. I have to stay as locked in as possible, just like I'm in the game."
The Margot Conundrum
Meanwhile, Margot has experienced a whirlwind season, having played for three teams in the last nine months. He has started in only 52 of his team's 118 games as of Tuesday but leads the league with 31 pinch-hit plate appearances. Unfortunately, Margot has struggled mightily in this role, posting a .000/.129/.000 line as a pinch-hitter. He is 0 for 27 with four walks and five strikeouts in these situations.
Margot had only 66 career pinch-hit plate appearances before 2024, making his current challenges somewhat unprecedented. As the regular season approaches its final stretch, Margot’s ability to adapt to his pinch-hitting role will be closely watched.
The Final Stretch
As the regular season reaches its crescendo, the performances of players like Hernández, Melendez, and Margot will be scrutinized for their impact on the postseason race. Every at-bat now carries extra weight, and the ability to adapt will be crucial in shaping the final standings. Each narrative adds a layer of complexity to this exciting chapter of Major League Baseball, as new stories are written with every pitch and swing.