History of Tommy Edman in Timeline

Tommy Edman is a versatile professional baseball player known for his exceptional defensive skills and switch-hitting ability. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016, he made his MLB debut in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a reliable utility player capable of playing multiple infield and outfield positions. Edman’s breakout 2021 season earned him a Gold Glove Award at second base, highlighting his elite defensive prowess. Throughout his tenure with the Cardinals, he became a core member of the lineup due to his high baseball IQ, speed on the basepaths, and consistent contact-hitting. In 2024, Edman was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he continued to demonstrate his value as a key contributor during their championship run, notably earning the 2024 National League Championship Series MVP title. His combination of defensive flexibility and offensive reliability makes him one of the most respected utility players in Major League Baseball.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 9, 1995: Birth of Thomas Hyunsu Edman

Thomas Hyunsu Edman, who would grow up to become a professional Major League Baseball player, was born on May 9, 1995.

2013: Graduation from La Jolla Country Day School

In 2013, Tommy Edman graduated from La Jolla Country Day School in California, where he earned a selection to the All-Academic Team.

2015: Success with the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox

During the summer of 2015, Edman played for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he batted .304, became an East Division All-Star, and helped his team secure the league championship.

2016: Selection by St. Louis Cardinals and Debut Season

In 2016, Tommy Edman was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round of the MLB draft. Following his signing, he played for the State College Spikes, where he achieved a .286 batting average, four home runs, 33 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases across 66 games, ultimately earning a spot as a New York–Penn League All-Star.

2016: Junior Season Performance at Stanford

In 2016, during his junior year at Stanford, Edman started every game at shortstop, leading his team in multiple statistical categories including runs, hits, triples, and stolen bases, which resulted in his selection to the Pac-12 Conference first team.

2016: Selected in the MLB Draft

In 2016, following three seasons of collegiate baseball at Stanford University, Tommy Edman was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball draft.

2017: Minor League Advancement Across Three Clubs

Throughout 2017, Edman progressed through multiple levels of the minor leagues, playing for the Peoria Chiefs, Palm Beach Cardinals, and Springfield Cardinals. Over the course of 119 games during this 2017 season, he recorded a combined batting average of .261 with five home runs and 55 RBIs.

2018: Breakout 2018 Minor League Season

During the 2018 season, Tommy Edman excelled across multiple levels of the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system, earning a Texas League All-Star selection, breaking the Springfield Cardinals' all-time record by reaching base in 32 consecutive games, and helping the Memphis Redbirds secure the Pacific Coast League title where he was named co-MVP of the playoffs.

November 23, 2019: Marriage of Tommy and Kristen Edman

On November 23, 2019, Tommy Edman married his wife, Kristen, after previously rescheduling the wedding from its original October 5 date to accommodate his participation in the 2019 National League Division Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

2019: Major League Baseball Debut

After progressing through the Cardinals' minor league system, Tommy Edman made his highly anticipated MLB debut in 2019, quickly securing a role in the team's starting lineup across multiple positions.

2019: Tommy Edman's 2019 Major League Rookie Season

During the 2019 season, Tommy Edman transitioned from the minor leagues to a significant role with the St. Louis Cardinals, recording a .304 batting average, 11 home runs, and 36 RBIs. Throughout 2019, he reached several career milestones including his MLB debut, first hit, first home run, and first grand slam, while also distinguishing himself as the fastest third baseman in the major leagues.

2020: Named Cardinals Starting Third Baseman

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Tommy Edman was designated as the starting third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. Throughout this 2020 season, he recorded a .250 batting average with five home runs and 26 RBIs across 227 plate appearances, followed by a performance of three hits in 14 at-bats during the Wild Card Series.

2021: Gold Glove Award Winner

During the 2021 season, Tommy Edman earned a Gold Glove Award, recognizing him as the top defensive second baseman in the National League.

2021: Tommy Edman's 2021 Breakout Season

During the 2021 season, Tommy Edman established himself as the St. Louis Cardinals' starting second baseman, appearing in 159 games. His performance included earning an NL Player of the Week Award in August, finishing the season with 11 home runs and 30 stolen bases, tying for second in the National League with 41 doubles, and winning a Gold Glove Award at second base.

2022: 2022 Season Performance and Position Shift

Throughout the 2022 season, Tommy Edman served as the St. Louis Cardinals' starting second baseman before transitioning to shortstop in mid-May. He concluded the 2022 campaign with a .265 batting average, 13 home runs, and 32 stolen bases, though his team was ultimately eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Philadelphia Phillies.

January 13, 2023: Contract Agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals

On January 13, 2023, Tommy Edman finalized a one-year contract extension valued at $4.2 million with the St. Louis Cardinals, effectively bypassing the salary arbitration process for that season.

2023: Participation in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Tommy Edman joined the South Korea national baseball team to play second base during the World Baseball Classic. Over the course of the first three games, he recorded 2 hits and 1 walk across 11 plate appearances, though the team failed to advance past the pool stage.

January 22, 2024: Contract Extension with the St. Louis Cardinals

On January 22, 2024, Tommy Edman and the St. Louis Cardinals successfully reached an agreement on a two-year, $16.5 million contract, effectively preventing the need for salary arbitration.

July 29, 2024: Trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 29, 2024, Tommy Edman was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to his home state team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, as part of a complex three-team transaction involving several other players including Michael Kopech, Erick Fedde, and Tommy Pham.

November 29, 2024: Tommy Edman signs contract extension with the Dodgers

On November 29, 2024, Tommy Edman finalized a deal to remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers by signing a five-year, $74 million contract extension, which also includes an option for a sixth year with the club.

2024: Trade to the Dodgers and World Series Championship

In 2024, Tommy Edman was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline, where he went on to earn NLCS MVP honors and contribute to the team's 2024 World Series championship victory.

November 11, 2025: Tommy Edman to Undergo Ankle Surgery

On November 11, 2025, it was officially announced that Tommy Edman would need to undergo a surgical procedure to address an ankle injury that negatively impacted his performance throughout the 2025 baseball season.

2025: Tommy Edman's 2025 Postseason Performance

During the 2025 MLB postseason, Tommy Edman played through an ankle injury, contributing to the Los Angeles Dodgers' second consecutive World Series championship. Throughout the 2025 playoffs, he recorded hits in the Wild Card Series, NLDS, NLCS, and the World Series, where his team secured the title in seven games.

2025: Tommy Edman's 2025 MLB Season with the Dodgers

Throughout the 2025 season, Tommy Edman played 97 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, contributing across multiple positions including second base, center field, and third base. Despite hitting the first home run of the 2025 season in the Tokyo Series, his year was marred by two separate ankle injuries sustained while baserunning in April and August, ultimately leading to a career-low .225 batting average, 13 home runs, and 49 RBI.