This is what Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts once said of tool man Tommy Edman — the kind of player who can help his team win every game through the details.
This value may not be visible in the data sheet, but it is reflected in the precise execution day in and day out. It was only after Edelman missed the first half of May with inflammation of his right ankle that its importance was rediscovered. "I did notice his gaps," Roberts admits, "and looking back at every win he's been involved in, there's always something about him that makes his contribution at some point, and that's the type of player I love." "
After returning from the 10-day injury list on Sunday, Eedman immediately showed impact. He came off the bench on Tuesday and scored the first point on a three-point offensive run in the 10th inning to help the Dodgers end a four-game losing streak. His all-around attributes in the interior and outfield (in the top 15% of the National League when defending second base this season) are key pieces of the puzzle for the rationality of the Dodgers' current roster.
With Teoscar Hernández returning on Monday, the Dodgers Fielders are back in full form — with a significant increase in the team's power floor by designating Austin Barnes to vacate top rookie Dalton Rushing, cutting Chris Taylor and retaining Hyeseong Kim. This brings the sweet annoyance of second base and outfield playing time allocation, and Edelman's flexible positional attributes (second base/outfield) are the key to the problem.
Eedman, the 2021 Gold-glove second baseman winner, was seen as a regular second baseman during spring training, but he always maintained the awareness of a tool man: "You have to keep up the amount of training on the inside and outside of the field, and be ready to deal with emergencies. "Its left-right opening qualities are even more valuable during lineup changes.
"He's one of the core components," Roberts emphasized, "and the versatility gives us more tactical options." "