As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season looms, baseball fans are on the edge of their seats, anticipating the high-stakes action that will determine postseason positions and individual awards. Among the many headlines, the surging performance of Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins, along with the Detroit Tigers' youthful resurgence, stands out.
Tommy Edman’s Meteoric Rise
After an offseason wrist surgery and subsequent ankle injury during rehab, Tommy Edman seemed like a longshot to make a significant impact this season. He hadn't seen any game action until his late-season return, but his recent performances have proven to be pivotal for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Acquired from the Cardinals in a three-team trade with the White Sox that featured Erick Fedde, Edman has been on fire.
In his last 15 games, Edman has blasted six home runs and swiped three bases, contributing to his impressive .284/.333/.523 slash line over the past 23 games. His overall performance with the Dodgers, reflected in a .265/.310/.470 line over 31 games, has solidified his role on the team, providing versatility by starting in center field, shortstop, and second base.
Edman’s defensive versatility and clutch hitting have proven invaluable. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised him, saying, “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.”
Cedric Mullins: A Tale of Two Seasons
For Cedric Mullins, the 2024 season was initially a struggle. By June 8, his slash line was a dismal .170/.221/.301, and he had a -0.4 WAR over the first 57 games. However, Mullins did not let early-season adversity define him. Turning his performance around, he now boasts a more respectable .228/.299/.404 slash line, including 18 home runs.
In his last 85 games, Mullins' contributions have been significantly positive, with a 2.4 WAR indicating his importance to the team’s success. Reflecting on his transformation, Mullins said, “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.”
Detroit Tigers on the Cusp
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are on the verge of securing a wild-card spot, potentially achieving their first playoff berth since 2014. This youthful team's resurgence has been anchored by six out of Tuesday's nine starting position players, all aged 24 or younger. Trey Sweeney, who stepped in as the starting shortstop after Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22, has been particularly pivotal, starting 29 of 32 games since Báez's injury.
Sweeney was acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers and was a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021. His minor league performance this year, featuring a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games, demonstrated his readiness for the majors.
To bolster their lineup further, the Tigers' farm system recently called up top prospect Jackson Jobe, signaling their commitment to both present success and future growth.
As the season reaches its climax, the performances of Edman, Mullins, and the young Tigers reflect the unpredictable and thrilling nature of baseball. Each player and team has their own unique narrative, contributing to the rich tapestry of a sport where anything can happen. These stories will undoubtedly shape the postseason and resonate with fans long after the final out is called.