Early-season leaderboards in MLB often produce delightful surprises, rearranging expectations before settling into familiar patterns. Yet, few expected the sight that greeted fans just weeks into the 2025 campaign. Right there, alongside the titans Aaron Judge and Mike Trout, was Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman, tied for the league home run lead. It was a turn so surprising that even Edman himself appeared to have found it amusingly strange.

In the opening stretch of the season, Edman, typically celebrated for his defensive prowess and speed, surprised many by hitting six home runs, driving in 14 runs, and scoring 11 times. His batting average stood at .259, with a slugging percentage of .603 and an OPS of .893, signaling a newfound power at the plate. This performance placed him alongside renowned sluggers such as Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Mike Trout, and Tyler Soderstrom atop the MLB home run leaderboard .

Reacting to his presence among these giants, Edman offered a refreshingly candid and humorous take. “Yeah, it’s kind of a lot of guys that look the same and then there’s me.” He precisely captured the visual and reputational contrast between him and the league’s top power threats. Recognizing the nature of hot streaks, he continued, “It’s kind of funny, but it’s kind of a hot start, and we’ll see how long I can keep it up.”

Edman’s self-deprecating humor stems from his profile as a player. He had never hit more than 13 home runs in a season, which he had done twice. At roughly 5-foot-10, his stature is the opposite of that of the 6-foot-7 Judge and the hulking physiques of Trout and Schwarber. Edman’s game was built on Gold Glove defense and speed (30+ steal seasons). But offseason swing adjustments, focusing on posture and a direct path to the ball with help from Dodgers coaches, appear to be unlocking this type of power.

Edman’s unexpected power surge fuels Dodgers’ hot start

That unexpected power has proved very valuable to the Dodgers. Edman’s home runs haven’t merely padded stats; they have frequently been timely blasts. On April 12, his three-run blast helped provide the winning runs in a 3-0 victory over the Cubs. He also homered in early victories against Detroit and during the season-opening Tokyo Series. This production from deeper in the lineup also adds heft, takes pressure off stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, and contributes directly to LA’s hot start.

Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the surprising nature of Edman’s power display. “He’s got a really good routine to keep his body strong,” Roberts said after that April 12 homer. He lauded Edman’s plate discipline and swing mechanics, saying, “I don’t think he’d ever say he’s a power hitter. But he’s finding a way to backspin the baseball and hit some homers.” That makes it sound like the coaching staff believes those results were earned via adjustment, even if they weren’t anticipated based on history.

While Edman shares the lead at six homers, several other players are close behind early in this power race. Eugenio Suárez, Logan O’Hoppe, Kyren Paris, Corbin Carroll, Wilmer Flores, Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker, and James Wood all are sitting on 5 home runs about now. Even Shohei Ohtani, the expected contender, was probably hovering near this group. This highlights the volatility and drama of the early-season leaderboard before real separation happens.

Edman’s contributions have indeed helped propel the Dodgers to an incredible start in the 2025 season. On April 12, Los Angeles has a sparkling record of 10-4, sitting atop the NL West and riding a massive streak of consecutive home wins. With stars like Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman also contributing, and pitchers such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto dealing, the team looks formidable. Can “Tommy Tanks” keep this thrilling pace, or will his hot start cool once the marathon season ramps up?