The dog days of summer have arrived in Major League Baseball. With less than seven weeks remaining in the regular season, every game has become critical for teams vying for postseason berths. Teams made significant moves before the rapidly-approaching July 30 trade deadline, reshuffling their rosters for the final push.
Hernández Steps Up Amid Injuries
One of the notable shifts came as Enrique Hernández 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. His vision issues prompted him to seek advice from his peers. "(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.
The decision paid off soon after he was fitted for eyeglasses. Hernández showed noticeable improvement in his contact and chase rates, a much-needed boost as the games grew in importance. Despite these improvements, the team is keeping a close eye on Muncy's progress, who has begun a minor-league rehab assignment. Upon Muncy's return, Hernández is expected to slide back into his versatile utility role, but his contributions during this critical period have not gone unnoticed.
Betts and Melendez Make Waves
Mookie Betts also recently made his comeback, providing another spark to his team's lineup. Meanwhile, MJ Melendez has had a performance that has been a mixed bag. His .205/.267/.403 slash line is 28% below league average when adjusted for ballpark conditions, notably for a left fielder where the league average stands at .243/.314/.398.
While Melendez's overall performance might seem lackluster, he has shown flashes of brilliance in high-leverage situations. Melendez ranks sixth in 232 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) out of 234 hitters with at least 25 such appearances. His knack for delivering in the clutch is evident, perhaps best exemplified by his go-ahead, pinch-hit, three-run home run with the Royals down 2-0 and two outs in the ninth inning against Detroit. This hit ranks as the third-biggest in baseball this season and the largest non-walk-off hit of the year. 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 stated confidently.
Challenges Facing Margot
Then there's Manuel Margot, who has faced a unique set of challenges. Margot has been on three teams in the last nine months and has started in only 52 of his team's 118 games as of Tuesday. Despite leading the league with 31 pinch-hit plate appearances, his performance in those scenarios has been far from ideal. Margot has a .000/.129/.000 line as a pinch-hitter and is 0 for 27 in that role, with four walks and five strikeouts.
Before 2024, Margot had only 66 career pinch-hit plate appearances, suggesting a potential struggle to adapt to these high-pressure spots. As the regular season approaches its final stretch, players like Hernández, Melendez, and Margot will continue to be scrutinized for their contributions. Each narrative adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding drama of Major League Baseball. Every at-bat carries the weight of the postseason, and the ability to adapt will shape the final standings, writing new chapters in the annals of the sport.
From Hernández’s rise to fill the gap left by Muncy, Melendez's clutch performances, to Margot’s pinch-hitting struggles, these stories highlight the human elements that make baseball so compelling. With the season winding down, fans will be watching closely as these players and their teams navigate the final stretch, each game steeped in significance.