Tommy Edman

Thomas Hyunsu Edman (born May 9, 1995), nicknamed “Tommy Tanks,” is an American professional baseball utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his exceptional defensive versatility and switch-hitting ability, Edman has established himself as one of baseball’s most valuable players, capable of playing second base, shortstop, center field, and third base at an elite level. A two-time World Series champion, he earned National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player honors in 2024 after helping the Dodgers capture the title. Edman’s journey from Pontiac, Michigan, through Stanford University and the minor leagues to MLB stardom reflects his dedication and adaptability.

Thomas Hyunsu Edman Bio

Thomas Hyunsu Edman, commonly known as Tommy Edman, is a professional baseball utility player who has made significant contributions to both the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, and raised in San Diego, California, Edman brings a unique background to MLB as he represents the South Korean national team in international competitions through his mother’s heritage. His switch-hitting ability combined with his defensive excellence has made him a sought-after player throughout his career, culminating in a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers signed in November 2024.

Early Life and Background

Thomas Hyunsu Edman was born on May 9, 1995, in Pontiac, Michigan, to John Edman Jr. and Maureen Kwak (Kwak Kyung-ah). His father, John, played four years of college baseball at Williams College in Massachusetts before becoming a teacher and the varsity baseball coach at La Jolla Country Day School in California. His mother, Maureen, was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States as a child. Edman’s family heritage includes Korean ancestry through his mother and European ancestry through his father. His older brother, John, works in research and development for the Minnesota Twins, while his younger sister, Elise, played volleyball at Davidson College and later worked as a systems engineer for the Cardinals.

Edman grew up in San Diego and graduated from La Jolla Country Day School in 2013, where he was selected to an All-Academic Team. Playing under his father at the school, Edman developed his baseball skills in a supportive environment that fostered both his athletic and academic growth. His father’s coaching influence and the strong baseball program at La Jolla Country Day laid the foundation for his future collegiate career at Stanford University, one of the premier baseball programs in the country.

Path to Baseball

Edman attended Stanford University, where he played three seasons of college baseball for the Stanford Cardinal from 2014 to 2016. After his freshman year, he spent his first summer playing collegiate baseball for the Newport Gulls in the New England Collegiate League. He performed exceptionally, earning All-Star honors and being recognized as the league’s best defensive player. During his sophomore season in 2015, he played for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious summer leagues for college players. He batted .304 and helped lead his team to the league championship while earning starting second baseman honors for the East Division All-Star team.

As a junior in 2016, Edman started every game at shortstop and delivered an outstanding season, batting .286 with 24 RBIs. He led Stanford in runs (35), hits (61), triples (4), and stolen bases (8) across 54 games, earning a spot on the Pac-12 Conference first team. His combination of contact hitting, speed, and defensive prowess made him an attractive draft prospect. The St. Louis Cardinals selected Edman in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB draft, choosing him for his polish, versatility, and ability to impact games in multiple facets.

Thomas Hyunsu Edman Career

Minor Leagues (2016–2019)

After signing with the Cardinals following the 2016 draft, Edman was assigned to the State College Spikes, where he spent his entire first professional season. He posted a .286 batting average with four home runs, 33 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases in 22 attempts over 66 games, earning New York-Penn League All-Star honors. The following year, he advanced through three levels of the Cardinals system, playing for the Peoria Chiefs, Palm Beach Cardinals, and Springfield Cardinals. He batted a combined .261 with five home runs and 55 RBIs in 119 games, demonstrating his ability to adjust to increasingly competitive pitching.

In 2018, Edman began the season with Springfield, where he was named a Texas League All-Star. He achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching base in 32 consecutive games, breaking Springfield’s all-time record. His strong performance earned a promotion to the Memphis Redbirds at season’s end, where he helped the team win the Pacific Coast League championship and was named co-MVP of the PCL playoffs alongside teammate Randy Arozarena. Across 126 games between Springfield and Memphis, Edman hit .301 with a .354 on-base percentage and .402 slugging percentage, along with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 35 attempts. Following the season, the Cardinals assigned him to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League for additional development.

St. Louis Cardinals (2019–2023)

Edman began the 2019 season with Memphis, where he excelled with a .305/.356/.513 slash line, seven home runs, 29 RBIs, and nine stolen bases over 49 games. On June 8, 2019, the Cardinals selected his contract and called him up to the major leagues for the first time. He made his debut that night as a pinch-hitter against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Edman recorded his first MLB hit on June 14 against Steven Matz of the New York Mets and his first career home run on June 20 against Tayron Guerrero of the Miami Marlins. On July 18, he hit his first career grand slam off of Robert Stephenson of the Cincinnati Reds. Over 92 regular-season games with St. Louis, Edman slashed .304/.350/.500 with 11 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts. In the postseason, he contributed six hits including three doubles in the NLDS but struggled in the NLCS against the Washington Nationals.

Edman entered the 2020 season as the Cardinals’ starting third baseman during the pandemic-shortened campaign. In 227 plate appearances, he batted .250/.317/.368 with five home runs and 26 RBIs. He had three hits in 14 at-bats during the Wild Card Series. In 2021, after Kolten Wong’s departure and Nolan Arenado’s arrival, Edman became the club’s starting second baseman and enjoyed his best professional season. He earned NL Player of the Week after batting .426 with two home runs from August 23 through August 29. He appeared in 159 games, slashing .262/.308/.387 with 11 home runs, 56 RBIs, 41 doubles, and 30 stolen bases. His 41 doubles tied with Ozzie Albies for second in the National League. Edman won the Gold Glove Award at second base, one of five Cardinals to win the award that year, setting an MLB record. In the Wild Card Game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he had three hits in five at-bats with two stolen bases, but the Cardinals lost on a walk-off home run.

Edman returned as the Cardinals’ starting second baseman to open the 2022 season. In mid-May, following the demotion of starting shortstop Paul DeJong and the call-up of Nolan Gorman, Edman shifted to shortstop. On June 11, 2022, he hit his first career walk-off home run, a two-run shot that secured a 5-4 victory versus the Cincinnati Reds. He finished the season slashing .265/.324/.400 with 13 home runs, 57 RBIs, 31 doubles, and 32 stolen bases over 630 plate appearances in 153 games. In 2023, Edman agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Cardinals. He appeared in 153 games, playing mainly at shortstop, second base, and center field, and batted .265 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI, and 32 stolen bases.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–Present)

Edman and the Cardinals agreed to a two-year deal worth $16.5 million on January 22, 2024, but he did not play for the Cardinals that season. After undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason, he was shut down during spring training due to renewed wrist discomfort. On May 6, Edman was transferred to the 60-day injured list. On July 29, 2024, the Cardinals traded Edman to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team deal that also sent Michael Kopech and Oliver Gonzalez to the Dodgers. Edman made his season debut with the Dodgers on August 19 and played in 37 games, splitting time between shortstop and center field, with a .237 average, six home runs, and 20 RBI. He went 4-for-17 in the NLDS against the New York Mets.

Edman delivered a historic NLCS performance, taking home series MVP honors after helping lead the Dodgers to the World Series by defeating the Mets in six games. He hit a two-run home run in the Game 6 clincher and batted .407 in the series, tying the Dodgers club record with 11 RBI in a postseason series. In the World Series against the New York Yankees, Edman batted .294 (5-for-17) with one home run and one RBI as the Dodgers won in five games, capturing his first championship. On November 29, 2024, Edman signed a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers including a sixth-year club option.

Driving Style and Strengths

Edman’s greatest asset is his exceptional defensive versatility, enabling him to play second base, shortstop, center field, and third base at a high level. His switch-hitting ability from both sides of the plate provides lineup flexibility, while his above-average speed makes him a threat on the basepaths. In 2019, he recorded the fastest sprint speed among major league third basemen at 29.4 feet per second. His defensive instincts and baseball IQ allow him to make seamless transitions between positions, making him invaluable for managers seeking matchup advantages. His consistency and durability have also been hallmarks of his game throughout his career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Edman’s 2024 postseason performance stands as the defining stretch of his career. His NLCS MVP award and dramatic Game 6 home run cemented his legacy as a big-game performer. His first career walk-off home run on June 11, 2022, against the Cincinnati Reds marked another memorable moment, showcasing his ability to deliver in clutch situations. His 32-game hitting streak with Springfield in 2018 remains a franchise record and demonstrated his potential early in his professional career. His Gold Glove win in 2021 validated his defensive excellence at the highest level.

Thomas Hyunsu Edman Career Wins

Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2019 through 2026, Edman has accumulated impressive statistics while competing at the sport’s highest level. His versatility and consistency have enabled him to contribute across multiple categories season after season. His postseason heroics in 2024, particularly in the NLCS and World Series, represent the pinnacle of his accomplishments to date.

Major Achievements Highlights

Edman’s most significant career achievement came in 2024 when he earned NLCS MVP honors, becoming one of the key contributors to the Dodgers’ World Series championship. His performance in the championship series featured a .407 batting average and a record-tying 11 RBIs, including a dramatic two-run home run in the clinching Game 6 victory over the New York Mets. He followed this by batting .294 in the World Series as the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, capturing his first championship ring. Edman added a second consecutive World Series title in 2025 as the Dodgers won in seven games against the New York Yankees. In 2021, he won the Gold Glove Award as the National League’s top defensive second baseman, one of five Cardinals to achieve the feat in the same season.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his championship success, Edman has been a model of sustained excellence throughout his career. His 2019 rookie season saw him hit .304 with 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases in just 92 games. In 2021, he tied for second in the National League with 41 doubles while also swiping 30 bases. His 2022 campaign featured a .265 average with 13 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases. His consistent ability to produce across multiple categories while playing premium defensive positions has made him one of baseball’s most reliable players.

Thomas Hyunsu Edman Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Edman comes from a distinguished baseball family with multi-generational ties to the sport. His father, John Edman Jr., played four years of college baseball at Williams College in Massachusetts and has built a notable coaching career. He currently serves as a teacher and the varsity baseball coach at La Jolla Country Day School, the same institution from which Tommy graduated. His mother, Maureen Kwak (Kwak Kyung-ah), was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States as a child, providing Edman with his Korean heritage. His older brother, John, works in research and development for the Minnesota Twins organization, maintaining the family’s connection to professional baseball. His younger sister, Elise, played collegiate volleyball at Davidson College and later worked as a systems engineer for the Cardinals.

Personal Life

Edman married his wife, Kristen, on November 23, 2019. The couple had originally planned their wedding for October 5 but were forced to reschedule due to the Cardinals’ participation in the 2019 National League Division Series. Edman and Kristen have two children together. Off the field, Edman is a Christian who has spoken openly about his faith, saying, “Obviously, as a baseball player, your goal is to win the World Series. But I think for me, my goal is to be able to use the platform that I have to impact as many people as I can. It is important for me as a Christian to be able to spread the word of God as much as I can.” He maintains an active presence on social media and is known for his engaging personality with fans.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a challenging yet triumphant year for Edman and the Dodgers. Edman began the year as the Dodgers’ starting second baseman when the team opened the season in Japan for the MLB Tokyo Series. He achieved the distinction of hitting the first home run of the 2025 season, a solo shot off Justin Steele of the Chicago Cubs in the second game of the season. However, his season was derailed by ankle injuries suffered on April 29, which required him to go on the injured list before returning in mid-May. Another baserunning ankle injury in August kept him off the field for a month, resulting in another IL stint. Despite these setbacks, Edman appeared in 97 games for the Dodgers, playing 66 games at second base, 25 in center field, and 13 at third base while batting .225 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs.

Edman’s postseason contributions proved invaluable despite his injury struggles. He played in one game during the Wild Card Series, recording one hit (a home run) in three at-bats. In the NLDS, he had four hits including another home run in 17 at-bats. His solid performance continued in the NLCS with five hits in 15 at-bats. In the 2025 World Series, he contributed four hits including two doubles in 28 at-bats as the Dodgers won their second consecutive championship in seven games against the Yankees. Following the season, it was announced that Edman would require surgery to repair the ankle injury that had hampered him throughout the year. He was activated off the 60-day injured list on June 16, 2026, marking his return to the lineup and providing optimism for his continued contributions to the Dodgers’ pursuit of another championship.