LOS ANGELES — When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Tommy Edman just before the July deadline, the versatile player wasn’t sure what his position would be within the team.

He had not played any games while recovering from a wrist injury and found himself joining a roster that had many players also vying for time on the field.

Fast forward to Sunday night at Dodger Stadium, where he celebrated as the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after the Dodgers secured their spot in the 2024 World Series.

Throughout a high-scoring series, it was Edman, a local Southern California native, who consistently stood out. In the NLCS, he finished with a .407 batting average, achieving 11 hits in total—one in each of the six games—plus one home run and 11 RBIs, matching a franchise record for postseason performance.

“Tommy is clearly the MVP,” said Shohei Ohtani through his interpreter, Will Ireton. “His contributions extend beyond just this postseason; he’s been valuable all season, even if it doesn’t always show in the stats.”

Although Edman’s regular season was limited to just 37 games due to injury, he didn’t excel during those games, finishing with a .237 batting average and an on-base percentage of .294—his first season below .300.

However, during the postseason, Edman found his rhythm, making significant contributions when the team needed him most.

Freddie Freeman struggled with an ankle injury that sidelined him for several games and affected his performance when he did play. Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernandez, a key player in the National League Divisional Series, hadn’t secured a hit in the first five games of the NLCS.

Fortunately, Edman became a formidable presence at the plate. He moved from batting at the end of the lineup to the cleanup spot for the NLCS clincher, contributing to the Dodgers’ early four-run lead in the game.

One of the most striking statistics for Edman was his performance with runners in scoring position: after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning, he was 5-for-7 with nine RBIs during those critical moments in the series. By the end of Game 6, he maintained an impressive 5-for-10 record with runners in scoring position, a feat that often leads to successful outcomes.

“I just kept coming up when there were guys on base, which gave me opportunities to drive them in,” Edman remarked.

Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman humorously shared that he imagined Edman securing the MVP when he traded for him, commending his crucial plays in such a tense series.

“Not many players can perform at such a high level like he does,” Friedman said. “He was at the heart of everything we did in the series.”

Edman noted that he didn’t dwell on the pressure of being in the spotlight; transitioning from missing most of the regular season to becoming the star of the championship series was quite a transformation.

“It’s been a wild journey. Earlier this year, I would have never imagined I’d find myself in this position,” Edman expressed.

It’s quite a thought to consider how the Dodgers might have fared without acquiring Edman during the summer. Manager Dave Roberts credited Friedman and the front office for orchestrating the trade, admitting he didn’t foresee Edman batting fourth, but he is now completely confident in Edman’s contributions to the team.

“I trust him. The team trusts him. He’s made key defensive plays and delivered significant hits. We are incredibly fortunate to have a player like Tommy,” Roberts stated.

Edman’s rise as a key player will present an additional challenge for the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Yankees will need to strategize against a team that posted a minimum of eight runs in its NLCS wins and is averaging over six runs per game—more than any other team in the postseason.

There will be excitement to see Ohtani face off against Gerrit Cole, alongside comparisons to Aaron Judge, plus Mookie Betts will be up against the team that once opposed his victory in the World Series while he was with the Boston Red Sox. This list also includes stars like Freeman, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton.

Despite all this, Edman’s crucial performances in high-pressure moments have not surprised anyone in Los Angeles.

“The recurring theme this season has been numerous players stepping up,” Ohtani noted.

Now, Edman is a hot switch-hitter who cannot be ignored at the plate, and he may continue his strong performance in the World Series. However, it’s also possible that another under-the-radar player may emerge as a star for a team that clearly has more to offer beyond its three MVPs at the top of its batting order.

“I’m prepared for those big moments, and fortunately, I was able to deliver,” Edman concluded.