Tue Apr 29 05:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Cardinals’ Edman: A Hidden Power Hitter

**St. Louis, MO** – A surprising statistical analysis reveals St. Louis Cardinals utility player Tommy Edman possesses unexpected power hitting capabilities, particularly from the right side of the plate. While often dismissed as a non-traditional power hitter due to his 5’9″ frame and switch-hitting style, a deep dive into Edman’s statistics paints a different picture.

Writer Davy Andrews of FanGraphs highlights Edman’s remarkable disparity in performance between batting left and right-handed. While his left-handed batting displays below-average power, his right-handed approach reveals elite power numbers. Andrews’ research shows Edman possesses one of the largest ever recorded gaps in isolated slugging percentage (ISO) between his left and right-handed batting. In fact, his right-handed ISO places him among the most powerful switch-hitters in history when facing left-handed pitching, rivaling even legendary players like Mickey Mantle.

This hidden power is further emphasized by Edman’s impressive 2023 season, where he’s tied for sixth in baseball in home runs. While acknowledging the season’s early stage and Edman’s below-average bat speed overall, Andrews argues that the data underscores Edman’s significant untapped potential and should change the perception of the player.

Though his overall career numbers are impacted by his less powerful left-handed batting, the analysis highlights the significant contribution of Edman’s right-handed power. Andrews concludes that Edman’s unique power profile has allowed him to become a highly valuable player for the Cardinals, contributing to his impressive 17.2 WAR since his 2019 debut. The unexpected nature of his power makes the discovery all the more remarkable.

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