One Secret Weapon for Every Team in Postseason Contention
As the 2024 MLB regular season is coming to a close, the playoffs are right around the corner. Putting together the right lineup with the right set of roleplayers can make all the difference in October. While it is easy to talk about players who will have a big impact on their teams like Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper, José Ramirez, or Aaron Judge, these names are all expected to be in the lineup and perform no matter what. This article will break down role players with the ability to become secret weapons for their teams in the postseason, perhaps lifting their teams to a title. One recent example of this would be the playoff run of Eddie Rosario, who over 16 games, had a .383 batting average, 23 hits, and three home runs for the Braves when they won the World Series in 2021.
New York Yankees: Luke Weaver, Relief Pitcher
Beginning with the New York Yankees is high-leverage relief pitcher Luke Weaver. The former Cardinals and Diamondbacks pitcher had a few rough seasons as a starter before coming out of the bullpen for the Yankees. Towards the end of the season, Weaver has been given the ball often as a closer due to the poor form of Clay Holmes. This season, Weaver has recorded six wins, three losses, a 2.83 earned run average, and four saves out of four opportunities so far in 61 total appearances. Weaver may be an unlikely performer, however, his success in closing out games will be key for the Yankees to go far this postseason.
Cleveland Guardians: Matthew Boyd, Starting Pitcher
Coming into the 2024 season, the Guardians were unsure what they could get from Matthew Boyd, who had not pitched in over a year due to Tommy John surgery. With a career 4.85 earned run average as a starter, Boyd has flourished for Cleveland upon arrival. Since returning in August, Boyd has recorded two wins, two losses, 46 strikeouts, and a 2.72 earned run average over eight appearances. While these are not Cy Young Award-winning numbers, they are certainly respectable and they make Boyd a great addition to the Guardians rotation during the postseason.
Houston Astros: Yusei Kikuchi, Starting Pitcher
Since being traded to the Astros at the trade deadline, Yusei Kikuchi has turned into a different pitcher. Throughout his time with the Blue Jays this season, Kikuchi recorded a 4.75 earned run average but has a 2.75 earned run average over 10 starts since being traded. This includes a five-and-one record with 76 strikeouts over 60 innings pitched. Assuming Kikuchi can continue to perform for the Astros, he will prove to be one of their most valuable starters this postseason.
Baltimore Orioles: Yennier Cano, Relief Pitcher
Yennier Cano has been a strikeout machine from the bullpen this season. Averaging 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings, Cano will prove to be a reliable asset in the postseason with runners on base. His earned run average of 3.20 over 69 games pitched is quite solid as well while placing third in the majors in holds having recorded 34. Cano’s success out of the bullpen in October will be vital for the Orioles to make a deep postseason run.
Detroit Tigers: Will Vest, Relief Pitcher
Will Vest has had a solid season for the Tigers and will only be called upon more often in the postseason. Having blown six saves on the year, Vest has struggled as a closer but has put up great numbers as a setup man. Vest has been quite the workhorse this year with a 2.82 earned run average, 70.1 innings pitched, and 69 appearances. The Tigers will need a reliable setup man before handing the ball to closer Jason Foley, and Vest looks like the most likely candidate to perform.
Kansas City Royals: Michael Lorenzen, Starting Pitcher
Similar to Kikuchi, Michael Lorenzen has looked great since switching teams. Undefeated as a Royal, Lorenzen has two wins and a 1.69 earned run average. Although his sample of six starts with the Royals is much smaller than Kikuchi's, Lorenzen’s earned run average is still a respectable 3.37 on the year. As good as Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans have been, look for Lorenzen and Michael Wacha to hold it down for the Royals at the back end of their postseason rotation.
Philadelphia Phillies: Edmundo Sosa, Utility
Filling in for the injured Trea Turner for a large chunk of the season, Edmundo Sosa showed his capabilities as a starter in the big leagues. Batting .257 with a .735 OPS, Sosa has contributed when given the chance. His ability to play second base, third base, and shortstop will prove beneficial in the postseason as well. Whether or not Sosa will be able to hit well enough to crack the starting lineup in the postseason, he is certain to at least play a role as an important defensive replacement.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Tommy Edman, Utility
For those who would consider Edmundo Sosa as a utility man, Tommy Edman would classify as a super utility player. Although Edman has won a Gold Glove at second base, he is more than capable of playing great defense at shortstop, third base, and center field. Only playing 35 games this season after being traded by the Cardinals while injured, Edman is batting .250 with 12 extra-base hits including six home runs. Edman will continue to be put in the Dodgers lineup due to his defensive prowess and versatility alone, however, if he can continue to hit at this level he will prove to be one of the deadline's best acquisitions.
Milwaukee Brewers: Tobias Myers, Starting Pitcher
Being called up as a rookie about a month into the season, Tobias Myers blew expectations out of the water. Myers has recorded eight wins and six losses, with one more start remaining to finish out his 2024 season. Over 26 appearances, Myers has an impressive 3.09 earned run average. Myers will look to continue to perform for the Brewers and spur them on to a deep postseason run.
San Diego Padres: Donovan Solano, Utility
Donovan Solano has been a solid hitter as a big leaguer, hitting .278 on the season and for his career. For this reason, the Padres have made room for him at first base as his more natural positions of second base and third base are filled. With 77 hits in 94 games played, Solano is certain to provide the Padres with quality at-bats. Solano’s opportunities will continue in the postseason, as Ha-Seong Kim remains out due to injury.
Arizona Diamondbacks: A.J. Puk, Relief Pitcher
Since being acquired by the Diamondbacks, A.J. Puk has been nearly impossible to score on. Puk has a 0.33 earned run average in 29 games with the team. Not to mention, an incredible 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Puk will look to remain dominant through the last two games of the regular season to ensure the Diamondbacks secure a Wild Card spot and after that will try to assist in making back-to-back World Series appearances.
New York Mets: Luisangel Acuña, Shortstop
As the Mets continue to fight for one of the final Wild Card spots, Luisangel Acuña continues to impress. Although Acuña has the smallest sample size of everyone in this article, he arguably has the biggest upside. Acuña has a batting average of .375, a 1.175 OPS, and 12 hits in 32 at-bats including six extra-base hits. With Francisco Lindor returning from injury, Acuña will see a more limited role, however, when he enters the game he is certain to provide the Mets with a much-needed spark.
Atlanta Braves: Joe Jimenez, Relief Pitcher
Lastly, the Atlanta Braves are also fighting for one of the final National League Wild Card spots. On the condition that they do, Joe Jimenez will certainly be a pitcher to watch out for. Jimenez has sustained an amazing 11 strikeouts per nine innings over 66 appearances this year. Jimenez has struck out 81 batters this season in 66.1 innings while carrying a 2.31 earned run average. Jimenez and Braves closer Raisel Iglesias will need to continue to pitch lights out in order for the Braves to go far in the 2024 postseason.
The postseason is always filled with unexpected performances and unsung heroes. As the season lasts 162 games long, oftentimes the smallest of names can come to be the biggest contributors at the end of a long season. Sometimes, it is just a matter of getting hot at the right time, other times it is about getting lucky. Either way, each of these players will look to make their mark on history and ultimately lift the coveted World Series trophy at the end of October.
