Editing Jim Edmonds (section)

====1993–1996: Emergence as a power hitter====
On September 7, 1993, the Angels promoted Edmonds to the majors for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haakenson |first1=Joe |title=Angels release Gruber |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/628923682 |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=[[Pasadena Star-News]] |date=8 September 1993}}</ref> He made his MLB debut on September 9, starting in left field against the [[1993 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] at [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]], going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Edmonds collected his first major league hit on September 10 against the [[1993 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] in the [[Rogers Centre|SkyDome]], a [[Pinch hitter|pinch-hit]] [[double (baseball)|double]] in the ninth inning off of [[Duane Ward]].<ref>{{cite web |title=California Angels at Toronto Blue Jays Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR199309100.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=10 September 1993}}</ref> Edmonds collected his first major league RBI on September 14 against [[1993 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] pitcher [[Roger Salkeld]], driving in [[Chad Curtis]] with a [[Single (baseball)|single]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Seattle Mariners at California Angels Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL199309140.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=14 September 1993}}</ref> In his [[Major League Baseball rosters#September call-ups|September call-up]] 1993 season, Edmonds batted .246 in 61 [[at bat|at-bat]]s across 18 games.<ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Jim Edmonds Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=edmonji01 |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>

Despite the signings of outfielders [[Bo Jackson]] and [[Dwight Smith (baseball)|Dwight Smith]] in the offseason, Edmonds made the Angels' 1994 [[Opening Day]] roster.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haakenson |first1=Joe |title=Edmonds looks to make major transition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/629230574/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Pasadena Star-Times |date=29 March 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=Lovullo Shocked by His Release as He Moves On |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158555945/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=30 March 1994 |page=C7}}</ref> Edmonds received sporadic playing time for the first half of the season, often pinch hitting and rarely starting games. He did not hit his first major league home run until May 11, 1994, in a game against the [[1994 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] where he hit a two-run shot off [[Rick Helling]].<ref>{{cite web |title=California Angels at Texas Rangers Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX199405110.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=11 May 1994}}</ref> Through his first 50 games in 1994, Edmonds was batting .328 with a .405 [[on-base percentage]]. By June, Edmonds began to receive more regular playing time, serving as the primary left fielder after Bo Jackson had been benched and Dwight Smith had been traded to Baltimore. Midway through the season, Edmonds was considered by the media to be a prime candidate for the [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|AL Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Teaford |first1=Elliott |title=Angels Rookie Excels in Anonymous Zone |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/159929423/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=24 June 1994 |page=C8}}</ref> Although Edmonds's high averages regressed as he played more games, he finished the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] season batting .273 with five home runs and 37 RBIs.<ref name="stats" /> He placed eighth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.<ref>{{cite web |title=1994 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1994.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>

With the departure of Chad Curtis in the offseason, Edmonds became the Angels' everyday [[center fielder]] for the 1995 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weyler |first1=John |title=Center Stage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/155311824/ |page=C1 |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=28 April 1995}}</ref> In his new role as the team's primary center fielder, Edmonds also emerged as a formidable [[power hitter]]; he only had 29 home runs in his six-year minor league career and five in his true rookie season, leading to him being initially recognized as a [[contact hitter]] when coupled with his high batting averages. Edmonds did not hit any home runs through the first 17 games of the 1995 season, but hit six with an .857 [[slugging percentage]] in an eight-game stretch from May 15 to May 23. Edmonds received his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] selection in 1995 and was batting .291 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs at the All-Star break. Edmonds finished the 1995 season batting .290 with 33 home runs and 107 RBIs.<ref name="stats" />

Edmonds returned to the Angels in 1996 as one of the team's best all-around hitters. On March 7, he agreed to a four-year, $9.5 million contract extension with the Angels that included a team option in the fifth year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Edmonds, Percival Agree to Four-Year Contracts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/157457669/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=8 March 1996 |page=C12}}</ref> He suffered groin and stomach injuries on May 25, sidelining him for a month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angels Report |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158777463/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=27 May 1996 |page=C8}}</ref> Edmonds returned to the field on June 10 but sprained his thumb the following day, causing him to be out for another month. He returned to action on July 18, going 2-for-5 with a home run against the [[1996 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Chris |title=Edmonds Expects to Return Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158791216/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 July 1996 |page=C4}}</ref> Edmonds finished the 1996 season batting .304 with 27 home runs and 66 RBIs.<ref name="stats" />