The Los Angeles Dodgers have as star-studded a roster as any in the Major Leagues. From former MVPs (Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman) to multi-time All-Stars (Walker Buehler, Will Smith, Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy), and also including the game’s best player (Shohei Ohtani), there’s no shortage of elite talent. If you were to peg the NLCS MVP prior to the series versus the Mets beginning, very few would’ve bet on Tommy Edman to win the award.
Well, he did just that with a blistering performance. The San Diego native hit .407 with 11 RBIs in the series win over the Mets. He tied a Dodgers postseason record (with Corey Seager) for the most RBIs in a seven-game series. Hitting cleanup at times, he also clubbed a decisive HR in Game 6 to help launch LA to a World Series date with the Yankees.
Edman came over at the trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals. Until then, he hadn’t played a single game this year after rehabilitating from wrist surgery. Long admired by the Dodgers front office, he was expected to be utilized accordingly as a versatile defender/contact hitter. When James Outman was sent down to AAA, Edman assumed the role of the team’s CF. When Miguel Rojas battled injury, Edman then moved to SS.
Though a smaller guy at 5’10” and 193 pounds, Edman demonstrated some newfound pop towards the end of the season with a simple adjustment on his swing. He absolutely mashed left-handed pitching to the point that Roberts has used him as the team’s cleanup hitter versus lefties. Edman, normally a guy either leading off or at the bottom of an order, was even shocked by his placement at No. 4 in the team’s loaded order.
At the same time, Edman’s ability to perform at a high level no matter the circumstances has made him truly indispensable. Being a switch-hitter, he can play versus any opposing pitcher. We’ve already talked about his positional versatility. Along with that includes a guy that doesn’t strike out very much. He’s an excellent bunter (as we’ve seen this postseason moving runners over), and he’s also a guy with plus speed that can swipe a bag at a moment’s notice.
While he might not have the club’s biggest or most well-known profile, Edman has more than proven his value to the Dodgers.