If you are into odds at all, Max Muncy should not be in MLB. In 2015, Max Muncy was a rookie with the Oakland A’s and played in 45 games while hitting .206. In 2016, he was in 51 games and hit .186. In 2017, he played for OKC, where he hit 12 HR and OPS’ed .909, including a .309 BA.
In 2018, Max hit 35 HR for the Dodgers with a .973 OPS. He followed that up with 35 HR again in 2019 with a .889 OPS. He struggled in 2020 (short season) and only OPS’ed .720. IN 2021, he was back on track and hit 36 Bombs with a .895 OPS. We all know that in 2022, he fell off the rails, especially in the first half of the season after a terrible arm injury in the playoffs. He did get it together later in the season, but in August and September, he OPS’ed around .850.
This season, he was asked to change positions and move to 3B, which he eagerly did. Max is a ballplayer. Understand that. Max is also a junkyard dog. I understand that too. Understand, too, that Max is struggling, both at the bat and in the field. I have heard many fans suggesting trade scenarios for him, because they want him gone, and many others have flatly stated that he is not and never will be a Third-Baseman. THEY ARE FLAT-OUT WRONG!
I predict that Max Muncy will end up being a very credible Third Baseman. It’s easy to predict good things when a player is doing well. Just about everyone is on the James Outman Bandwagon, but nobody is sticking up for Max Muncy… except me. Well, maybe me and the Dodgers. Everyone else is piling on – kicking him when he is down. There is room for zero excuses, but consider this: The Dodgers planted new grass on the infield at Dodger Stadium this spring — which, according to the grounds crew, didn’t set completely due to the cold, rainy conditions at the ballpark during the opening week of the year. As a result, the infield has played quicker in the early going, and the hops have been trickier. All of the plays haven’t been made. “Once we get some warm weather, that will go away,” Max Muncy said. “... some tricky hops, but I’m not putting myself in a position to handle those hops.”
Max is pressing. I wish that were not true, but it is. He is pressing on both sides of the ball. He has struck out 12 times in 23 ABs. Uh… yes, I know that is not good. His fielding is also suffering. Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger all started out very slowly in 2022. Cody never improved. JT improved by June, and Max improved late in the season. Due to his arm injury, he got into some bad habits that took a long time to break.
We are eight games into the season. Max Muncy and a number of other players are not yet hitting on all cylinders. Some of you want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but I say, “Not so fast!” You have to give this thing time to play out. Vaugh Grissom burst upon the scene for the Braves in 2022 and they though so highly of him as he hit .291 with a .353 OB% that they did not re-sign Dansby Swanson. How did that work out? Well, he is hitting .400 as we speak… at AAA.
It takes at least 40 to 50 games in order to determine what the Dodgers (or any tesm for that matter) have. Max Muncy has earned that with three exceptionally good seasons. Max is also working very hard on his fielding and I firmly believe he will get there. Max’s character is what makes the difference. He will keep working until he gets it and then he will work some more. Cut him some slack.
Chris Taylor is doing better and showing flashes, as is JDM, but Peralta and Trayce Thompson and Austin Barnes. Still, you have to wait. Most, if not all, will be OK. But, you never know. After Trayce Thompsons’ three home runs in his first game, he is 0-11. He scares me… but deserves a runway. Last night’s game was ugly. Clayton was off and the rest of the team looked like theywere sleepwalking without Will Smith. Last night was a classic game of where JDM should be in LF and Will Smith should be DH’ing.
CT3 is playing a pretty good SS. A few months ago (before the Dodgers acquired Miguel Rojas), I suggested that CT3 could be a good replacement for Trea Turner, but was mostly told he could not play there. SS is his natural position and I still think he could play at a very credible level. It depends upon his hitting… and yes, we have to let it play out!
Many of you will keep losing your minds and keep presenting trade scenarios where we can trade Muncy, and three low level prospects for Ohtani. Ha, Ha! I will continue to just roll my eyes. Patience, Grasshoppers – you have to let this play out.
Down on the Farm
OKC Dodgers – Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers trailed by five runs after the first inning but outscored the Las Vegas Aviators, 12-1, for the remainder of the game to capture a 12-6 victory Friday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. Las Vegas (1-6) plated five runs in the Aviators’ first at-bat of the night, including back-to-back home runs by Jordan Díaz and Cody Thomas to race out to a 5-0 lead. OKC answered with back-to-back homers of their own by Steven Duggar and Ryan Ward to start the second inning. The Dodgers (6-1) claimed their first lead with a four-run fifth inning, thanks to a two-run double by Drew Avans and two-run homer by Luke Williams. However, Las Vegas’ Pablo Reyes tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the inning. Still tied at 6-6, the Dodgers piled up five runs in the seventh inning. Michael Busch and Williams each notched RBI singles before Duggar smacked a three-run homer. Duggar also drove in the Dodgers’ final run with a single in the ninth inning.
TULSA DRILLERS –
ust 24 hours after the Tulsa Drillers opened the 2023 season by allowing just two hits in an opening night, shutout victory over San Antonio, the Missions flipped the script Friday night. In game two of the season, four Missions hurlers limited the Drillers to just one hit, leading San Antonio to a 2-0 victory at ONEOK Field.
After collecting ten hits in their opening victory, the Drillers were held without a hit through the first seven innings of Friday’s loss. Tulsa’s only hit came when Jorbit Vivas led off the eighth with a lined single just over the glove of shortstop Evan Mendoza.
The Missions got the only run they needed when they ran their way to the game’s first run in the top of the fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, Daniel Johnson legged out a bunt base hit, and Luis Aviles Jr. followed with a single that left the runners at first and third. Aviles Jr. attempted to swipe second base, and when Tulsa catcher Carson Taylor threw to second, Johnson broke for home. The San Antonio left fielder easily stole home when Taylor’s throw was low and was unable to be cut off by Tulsa shortstop Eddys Leonard, giving the Missions a 1-0 lead.
They needed only one hit to double their lead in the top of the sixth. Pedro Castellanos singled with one out, and after Johnson grounded out, Drillers reliever Alec Gamboa walked three straight batters to force in a run.
Tulsa starting pitcher Nick Frasso picked up the loss despite allowing just one run in four complete innings. He gave up four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out six.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*A pair of Drillers left-handed relievers made successful Double-A debuts. Jack Little retired all four batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings, striking out three of the four. Ben Harris followed him to the mound and gave up a leadoff single in the eighth before retiring three straight batters to record a scoreless inning.
GREAT LAKES LOONS – The Loons lost 4-3.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES –
The Quakes made it two straight wins out of the gate, hanging on for an exciting 5-3 win over Inland Empire on Friday night at LoanMart Field.
The Quakes built a 4-0 lead, but had to hold on in the ninth, as Kelvin Bautista struck out Denzer Guzman to end the game with the tying runs in scoring position.
Rancho was held without a hit for the first four innings, but finally broke through against 66ers’ starter Caden Dana (0-1) in the fifth. Jesus Galiz opened the inning with a double to left-center, then scored on an RBI single from Dayton Dooney, giving Rancho the lead at 1-0.
The Quakes made it 4-0 in the sixth, taking advantage of a total of five walks issued in the inning by 66ers’ pitching. Galiz contributed with a sac fly, making it 3-0. A bases-loaded walk to Dooney forced home another, giving Rancho the four-run lead.
The Rancho pitching staff was on point for a second straight night, as starter Peter Heubeck scattered one hit and three walks over three scoreless innings, before giving the ball to reliever Joel Ibarra, who dominated. Ibarra (1-0) threw just 31 pitches over three near-perfect innings, allowing just one hit while holding the lead and earning the eventual win.
nland got a run in the seventh, but Kyle Nevin’s two-out RBI triple made it a 5-1 lead.
The 66ers got a pair of runs in the eighth, before falling just short against Bautista in the ninth.
Rancho (2-0) will look to sweep the three-game set on Saturday, sending Jerming Rosario to the mound against 66ers’ right-hander Walbert Urena at 6:30pm.
The final game of the home stand will feature a Quakes’ 30th Anniversary Jersey Giveaway to 1,500 fans, courtesy of Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel. Gates open at 5:30pm and game time is 6:30pm. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!
Discussion (25)
Disagree, not disagreeable
You know it’s VERY early in the season when the Dodgers and D-Backs have the same record.
Maybe Roberts should go into the stands to see if any concessioners are selling outs. We obviously can’t produce any ourselves tonight.
This is a good, young Arizona team. Glad we don’t see them again till August. Last two nights let’s you know how well May was throwing the ball in game one. Rojas ab was a good example of getting lucky if you don’t strike out. We’re just getting out bullpenned!
You cannot live in the middle of the zone at 92. And leaving your change up there as well! Instead of ticking up 2-3 mph from last year, Syndergard has dropped 2-3 mph on his fastball. Not looking like an October option.
That was clearly a ball that the umpire called a strike on Outman for a strike out
Carroll is listed as the fastest guy in MLB: 30.7
Kid’s a weapon.
So maybe Thor gets a pass? CC now 3-3 on steals agst him.
Now Mark, when you said Outman was the 4th or 5th best outfielder, did you mean in all of baseball?
I missed the first part of the game. Oh my God ANOTHER HR for Outman. Wow.
If Will Smith continues to hit at an elite level, do the Dodgers consider moving him to 3base when Diego Cartaya is ready?
Smith’s bat is becoming more valuable than his defense.
The Dodgers have signed right-hander William Cuevas to a minor league deal. The signing was announced by the Diablos Rojos, Cuevas’ team in the Mexican league. Cuevas will pitch tonight for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City.
Cuevas, 32, last appeared in the big leagues in 2018 in a brief stint with the Red Sox. He’s spent the past four seasons in Korea with the KT Wizz, working to a 3.89 ERA over 82 starts and 489 1/3 innings.
8:10 PM ET
Dodgers (5-3)
Diamondbacks (4-4)
SPNoah Syndergaard R
0-0 1.50 ERA 6IP 6K
Zach Davies R
0-0 1.80 ERA 5IP 4K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF James Outman L
2B M. Vargas R
CF J. Heyward L
SS Chris Taylor R
In Domed Stadium
I know it’s early and a small sample but my 2 favorites are doing very good. Team ranked slash lines for my 2 favorites:
Smith 1st in BA, 4th OBP, 1st SLG, 1st OPS
Outman 3rd in BA, 2nd OBP, 4th SLG, 2nd OPS
Keep in mind that even though Heyward and Thompson are 2nd and 3rd in SLG they have half the sample size as Outman who is 4th in SLG.
I have confidence in both CT3 and Max. I believe they can turn their woes around soon.
I like them both as Dodgers and maybe I’m just giving them the benefit of the doubt. But for this month I am ok with that. I think they will both contribute favorably to the team.
I agree with Mark. As much as I don’t like the LF situation I’m letting it play out.
As for Muncy it’s different than the LF situation because of the stats. Muncy has put up a lot better stats in his Dodger career than any of the LF guys in their careers. So I’m giving Muncy a longer runway than the LF guys.
It sounds like Mark is on board with me about Taylor being the permanent SS depending on Taylor’s hitting. If so, cool.
I agree with Mark that Martinez should have played LF so Smith could have DH’d. Hell if Doc or whoever didn’t want Martinez in LF and even though Martinez has hit LHP good in the past, then just give Martinez the day off and let Smith DH. Whatever way works for me as long as Smith is DHing.
That said, if Muncy is not raking by MidMay, you have to make a move.
This same stupid stuff happened all last year as many bitched about Belli, Muncy, JT, and Gallo, and all the team did was go ahead and win 111 games. After a few games, you don’t demote people like Max Muncy in the lineup. Have you ever watched a game? Give it time. This is so silly!
Muncy will either get better or he won’t. It is that simple. I do not think he is the best third baseman, but at this point, he is all they have. Haven’t seen a team pull the trigger on a trade this early in a long time. The thing about Max is that the Dodgers believe in him. He has Robert’s trust. At this point though, I do not think he should be hitting in the four hole. Down in the lineup would be much better.
Better face it guys, the announcers in sports today for the most part are horrible! Ever listen to Astros announcers? Jessica seems like a really nice young lady, and she has studied hard to have knowledge of the game, but that constant laughter and never taking a pitch off drives me bonkers! Joe is as good as we could hope for as a replacement for Vinny. I know there will never be another! And just because you’ve been on mlb network doesn’t make you a play by play guy. I think Joe buck is very good! I like bob costas but never loved his play by play calls. I kinda like boog shambi, ( think that’s how you spell it) Mets guy is good. Giants crew is good. Always liked Jon Miller, Funny guy! Don’t mind Michael Kay for Yankees, can’t stomach John sterling! Actually has a good voice but his play by play is awful! Don’t mind Mendoza doing games, just wish it wasn’t dodger games. Was about to comment on muncy then read marks comments. I can wait for a couple weeks before I rush to judgment, but it’s hard to watch right now. Earlier post saying they don’t like Barnes, nothing personal, nice young man, but when Clayton retires so should he! I would still go after Reynolds and have an outfield of Betts, Outman,& Reynolds every day! I love the dodgers and have for 60 years. But I would love a more constant lineup daily. Pitching is great, let’s hope the offense can stay awake. Will smith HAS to be in that lineup! Austin Barnes cannot hit! Plain and simple! May as well have pitchers DH when he catches. Think they need the next 2 games before going to San Francisco. Giants are great but they are knocking the ball out of the park better than anyone right now. Go blue!
I sound like a broken record with the umpiring. Bear mentioned night before last how bad Ramon De Jesus was. He had 86% accuracy and just misses pitches. Last night we got the Crew Chief, Alfonso Marquez, and he was worse. Missed 14 pitches, mostly balls called strikes and had 85% accuracy. That crew is remarkably shitty with Doug Eddings, on the Worst Umpire lists, and Lance Barrett, who is better but has big rivers off the plate.
As I’ve mentioned before, players can adjust to an HPU strike zone if he is consistent. And you hope it’s in one direction and not everywhere. A ball to the arm or glove side can be adjusted to but a ball in both directions is too much to adjust to. In Marquez, De Jesus and as we will see, Eddings, misses are all over the place. Players can’t adjust to randomness and everywhere.
Pretty quiet offense last night with 5 total hits and never 2 hits in a row. Nice manufacture run in the 1st with a sac fly. But only 2 runs, both on home runs, the rest of the game. Sadly our scoring ended in the 4th.
10 K’s on the night (but I don’t know how anybody hits that Castro kid).
CK certainly lacked the sharpness he showed in his previous outing. MadBum nothings special. The difference being Almonte’s poor day.
Mark described CT3’s play at SS, as “pretty good”. He was the everyday SS in Seattle but he didn’t hit. I also think Rojas is a good defensive SS. But fans have extremely high standards for a Dodger SS now days, having had Turner and Seager. It’s a difficult position. Back in the day it was a defense first position and what you got at the plate was gravy.
I want a guy who makes the routine play, routinely. If he tosses in a web gem occasionally, great. Taylor makes the routine play easily and I can’t recall an error. He’s been better defensively then “pretty good”. Rojas has booted a couple of routine plays. I’m okay with CT3 or Rojas and hope one can hit enough. But make plays and maybe the fan base will get off their collective asses.
Another 2:28 game. I love it.
Better luck tonight.
Max is far more athletic than people realize and runs pretty fast, jumps higher than about anybody but has that look of the old classic catcher. People don’t seem to think about how their trade scenarios could open the can of poisonous worms as players don’t like a fickle organization and have zero clue about what goes on in changing of the guard. I don’t throw out there trade scenarios mostly because I don’t have a clue either. As much as I’d like having Otani, Trout and many others I know every club wishes even more they could obtain them and besides until they become Dodgers I don’t cheer for them. There’s been Dodger players even star players who I didn’t care for or lost faith in but still don’t know the behind the scenes or market. Max’s team mates seem to love him and the ones in the know are still backing him and thusly I’ll keep cheering him.
Right now my main gripe with Muncy is that he is hitting cleanup. If his defense doesn’t improve then I would share third and short among Rojas, Taylor, and Muncy with Muncy only playing third obviously. He could also share DH with Martinez.
Muncy is actually hitting .500. A lot of his Ks did not actually happen and a lot of his hits were awarded to other players.
The “cut Max some slack” conversation sounds more and more like the Bellinger conversation over the past few years. What makes it especially frustrating for me is Max’s pedestrian D-Fense, which has been on full display over the past few games. Yes, Max is a grinder and I love that in a player. But I want power and plus defense from my corner infield positions. Max is poor at handling slow rollers/bunts and his lack of quickness means he is not likely to grab many lasers down the line, thus robbing opponents of extra base hits.
Wonder how much more patience there should be with Muncy. This is not just a slump anymore after last season.
Vargas looks amazing at 2b defensively. He might be the real deal in the field and at the dish.
Same for Outman , both rookies really look good so far.
Was Almonte a one year wonder ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You mean we can’t trade someone because they had a bad first week of the season! Cmmon, we’re LADT Dodger fans! Last night was one of those all ugly games. Starting pitching, bullpen, hitting and fielding. Kersh finally pitches Walker tough but nobody else. Bullpen couldn’t keep us in it. Two solo bombs but we get nothing out of 8 walks!
I think the Dodgers haven gotten the best results from Max Muncy over the years and it’s time to move on by platooning him with Taylor when Rojas returns. That is not the final solution as AF and BG have to come up with another alternative, a quality third baseman who hit and field by trade or from within. Also Max should not be batting clean-up.
I was trying to decide last night which laugh is more annoying, ,Jessica Mendoza or the incompetent Vice-President Kamala Harris. Tough choice.