The dog days of summer have arrived in Major League Baseball, and with less than seven weeks remaining in the regular season, every game has become critical for teams vying for postseason berths. The July 30 trade deadline saw teams making significant moves, and players are now feeling the pressure to perform.
Enrique Hernández Steps Up
In Los Angeles, Enrique Hernández has found himself thrust into a more prominent role at third base following Max Muncy's oblique injury. Hernández, who has astigmatism in his right eye, approached the All-Star break with a modest .191/.258/.299 batting line. However, after seeking advice from his peers regarding his vision issues and opting for eyeglasses, Hernández showed noticeable improvement in his contact and chase rates.
"(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,'" Hernández shared. His adaptive approach exemplifies the importance of adjustments in the midst of a long season.
Max Muncy has begun a minor-league rehab assignment, and upon his return, Hernández is expected to slide back into his utility role. This shift will once again test Hernández's versatility and ability to contribute in various positions, a hallmark of his career.
Melendez Making His Mark
In Kansas City, MJ Melendez continues to grapple with the ups and downs of the season. Sporting a .205/.267/.403 slash line, Melendez’s performance is 28% below league average when adjusted for ballpark conditions. The league average for left fielders stands at .243/.314/.398, making Melendez’s .267 on-base percentage particularly glaring.
However, Melendez has been a clutch performer, ranking sixth in 232 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) in high-leverage situations among 234 hitters with at least 25 such appearances. His recent go-ahead, pinch-hit, three-run home run with the Royals down 2-0 and two outs in the ninth inning against Detroit ranks as the third-biggest hit in baseball this season and the largest non-walk-off hit of the year. Added to that, Melendez has been responsible for three of Kansas City's nine biggest hits by Clutch-Performed Action (CPA) this season.
"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," Melendez said, highlighting his readiness and resilience.
Margot's Struggles as a Pinch-Hitter
Elsewhere, Margot has faced a tumultuous season. Having been on three teams in the last nine months, Margot has started only 52 of his team's 118 games as of Tuesday. Despite leading the league with 31 pinch-hit plate appearances, Margot has struggled mightily in this role, posting a .000/.129/.000 line as a pinch-hitter.
Margot is 0 for 27 as a pinch-hitter, with four walks and five strikeouts, a stark contrast to his overall career where he had only 66 career pinch-hit plate appearances before 2024. This season's extended stretch as a pinch-hitter has not yielded the results he or his teams would have hoped for.
As the regular season approaches its final stretch, the performances of players like Hernández, Melendez, and Margot will continue to be scrutinized. Each at-bat carries the weight of the postseason, and the ability to adapt will shape the final standings and write new chapters in the annals of the sport.
Every narrative adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding drama of Major League Baseball, reminding fans and players alike that the stakes are high and the margin for error is razor-thin in this critical juncture of the season.