The dog days of summer have arrived in Major League Baseball, bringing with them heightened stakes as the regular season dwindles to less than seven weeks. Each remaining game has taken on immense significance for teams striving to secure postseason berths. The July 30 trade deadline featured a flurry of moves aimed at bolstering rosters for this final push, setting the stage for an intense end to the season.
Enrique Hernández Steps Up
One notable storyline has been the emergence of Enrique Hernández in a pivotal role for his team, necessitated by Max Muncy's oblique injury. Hernández, typically a utility player, found himself assuming the responsibilities of third base. His struggles at the plate were glaring, as he approached the All-Star break with a meager .191/.258/.299 batting line. To compound matters, Hernández has astigmatism in his right eye, which noticeably affected his performance.
Hernández took proactive steps to address his vision issues, seeking advice from peers, including teammate Martin Maldonado. "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 explained.
Following his decision to get fitted for eyeglasses, Hernández's performance saw a marked improvement in both contact and chase rates. This resurgence comes just in time, as Max Muncy has commenced a minor-league rehab assignment. Upon his return, Hernández is expected to revert to his versatile utility role, a critical component for the team in their quest for postseason glory.
MJ Melendez Under the Microscope
MJ Melendez is another player facing scrutiny during this critical period. His .205/.267/.403 slash line leaves much to be desired, standing 28% below league average when adjusted for ballpark conditions. For comparison, the league average for left fielders is .243/.314/.398. Despite the subpar overall numbers, Melendez has shown remarkable poise in high-leverage situations.
Ranking sixth in 232 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) in high-leverage scenarios among hitters with at least 25 such appearances, Melendez thrives under pressure. His recent go-ahead, pinch-hit, three-run home run with the Royals trailing 2-0 and two outs in the ninth inning against Detroit stands out as the third-biggest hit of the season and the largest non-walk-off hit of the year. "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 with unflappable confidence.
This clutch performance has been a common theme for Melendez, as he has been responsible for three of Kansas City's nine biggest hits by Clutch-Performed Action (CPA) this season. As the Royals navigate the final stretch, Melendez's ability to deliver in critical moments will be essential.
Margot's Challenges as a Pinch-Hitter
Meanwhile, Margot's journey has been a tumultuous one, having been part of three different teams over the past nine months. Despite starting in only 52 of his team's 118 games as of Tuesday, Margot leads the league with 31 pinch-hit plate appearances. However, his performance in those opportunities has been dismal, posting a .000/.129/.000 line as a pinch-hitter. Margot is 0 for 27 in pinch-hit appearances, with four walks and five strikeouts, highlighting his struggles.
Before 2024, Margot had only 66 career pinch-hit plate appearances, indicating that this role is relatively new territory for him. As he continues to adapt, the pressure mounts for him to find his footing and contribute meaningfully when called upon.
As the regular season approaches its final phase, the spotlight will remain on players like Hernández, Melendez, and Margot. Their performances will be crucial in shaping their team's fortunes as each at-bat carries postseason implications. The ability to adapt and rise to the occasion will ultimately decide the final standings and add new chapters to the storied history of Major League Baseball.