Max Muncy=Enigma

Posted By on August 18, 2023

Don’t get me wrong, I like Max. He is one of those signings that come out of nowhere and pay off big. Released by the A’s in March of 2017 after a 96-game tryout where he hit only .195, he signed with the Dodgers in April of 2017 and was sent to AAA OKC. He played 110 games there and hit .309 with 12 homers and 44 RBI’s.

He went to spring training with the team in 2018 but was called up after 9 games. He went on to play 137 games with the Dodgers. He hit 35 homers, drove in 79 and hit .263. He split most of his time between first, second and third base, and even played six games in the outfield. He hit 2 homers against the Braves in the NLDS but had none in the NLCS where he hit .182. His most memorable hit in the World Series was a walk-off homer off of Nathan Eovaldi in the 18th inning of game three. The only game the Dodgers would win.

He played 141 games in 2019. He again slugged 35 homers and drove in 98. His BA dipped to .253, but he was a huge part of the Dodger offense. He had a good playoff series against the Nationals hitting 3 homers and driving in 7 in the loss. Max struggled during the shortened 2020 season. Many players did. He hit only .192, hit 12 homers and drove in 27 runs.

In the playoffs that year, he went ofer against the Brewers in 2 games. He went 3-11 against the Padres in the three-game sweep driving in a couple runs. In the NLCS against the Braves, he hit 2 homers, one of them a grand-slam, and drove in 6. He hit well in the World Series, .318 with a homer and six runs batted in. He also only struck out four times.

With the pandemic over, and things getting back to normal, Max was the Dodgers everyday first baseman. He rebounded hitting wise as his average rose to .249 and he slugged 36 homers. He also drove in 94. But then disaster struck. Max suffered an injury to his elbow on a play at first base on the last day of the season. Max would miss the playoffs. Bad luck for both Max and the Dodgers. They missed his bat against the Giants, who he just murders, and then when they made it to the NLCS, they missed his pop against the Braves. His replacements were Albert Pujols and Matt Beaty. Bellinger did play first in a game or two.

In 22, Max, who obviously was not 100 percent, struggled for most of the season making contact. It was reflected in his .196 average. He did manage to hit 21 homers, but he struck out 141 times. A lot of that result could be traced to his elbow not being fully healed and strong. His OPS for the year was .713. Far below his .824 career mark.

Now it is 2023. Max is at this point in the season, almost two years removed from his injury. And this is where the enigma part comes in. He is hitting with power, but he is not getting base hits. Last night against the Brewers, Max had two singles. He at this point in the season has as many homers as he has singles, 28. His BA has been below the Mendoza line for most of the year and right now it is sitting at .195.

Those who see value in his on base abilities point to his OPS of .803. For the last month, according to Orel and Joe, it is over 1.000. His OPS plus is 114. 14 points above league average. I point out that in 338 at bats, Max has struck out 111 times, nearly 33 percent. Wasted at bats. In my humble opinion, he takes way too many pitches right down the middle of the plate. If Max was hitting even his career average, .226, I would not be so critical. But as it stands right now, he is a black hole in the lineup. One can criticize Barnes all they like, but Austin rarely plays. When you play as much as Muncy, 99 games, you need to be more productive at the plate. Max did spend some time on the IL, but still, he just is not making enough contact.

Max has an option for next year that could pay him 14 million if he reaches all of the incentives. Most likely the Dodgers will exercise the option because in my opinion again, he is going to become the semi-permanent DH. When I heard JD Martinez’s interview with Kirsten tonight, he said he was only here for one season. Sounds to me like he is planning on either signing with another team or pulling the plug.

As a Dodger fan, I only wish the best for Max. I sincerely hope that next spring, he finds a way to make more consistent contact. Watching him at bat can be a painful experience sometimes. Especially when he is chasing balls out of the zone that he couldn’t hit with a crane. It has been close to two full seasons of sub-200 BA. To some, it is not important. But the Dodgers seem to be shifting from the lift principal to making solid contact. I heard last night that Mookie’s surge, he is now hitting over .290, is because he has returned to the making solid contact hitting philosophy.

This article has 71 Comments

    1. I remember the last time JDM came back from the IL, and was interviewed by Kirsten. He said that it was probably his fault because he didn’t listen to his body, and he pushed himself too far.
      Maybe his desire to play overrides his common sense. Possibly he’s not being honest with the medical staff about how he really feels
      I agree they should just put him on the IL to make sure he’s ready for October
      And yes, it would be nice to give Busch another shot and see what he can do

  3. Good for Barnes last night! Lots of us are down on him, and he’s probably earned it, but he’s still a Dodger so it’s a bonus when he comes through like he did last night. With JD s comment about 1 year and gone, maybe he had a strong feeling the Dodgers will have a new designated hitter next season! It’s hard to watch Max at the plate! Don’t see him in a Dodger uniform next season. Maybe Michael Bush finally gets his shot. Probably less power, but higher batting average.

    1. His defense last night was great. They still have a problem holding runners, and Barnes throws were off target, but neither stolen base hurt them. I wonder where the naysayers about Lynn are now. They called him the Big Bear on the radio last night. Since he is about 5 inches taller than me, I will let him borrow my nickname. The guy is tenacious out there. I will tell you one thing; I think and believe the Dodgers should seriously consider moving Mookie to second base permanently. He has excellent range; he makes all the plays. He looks very happy being closer to all the action. And there is less chance of an injury running into the wall or another outfielder like when he collided with Bellinger and was out for a couple of weeks. I agree, put JD on the IL, get him totally healthy. And bring him back later when he is closer to 100%.

  4. Barnes is the man! Our new DH! Mookie and Freddie can take a blow. Barnes snd Rojas will take this to the finish line now.

  5. Even JD Martinez knows. He’s not an imbecile/moron. He knows the Dodgers would be plum crazy if they didn’t sign Ohtani and plug him into the DH spot. Even Ray Charles – and JD Martinez – can see that the Dodgers are going to sign Ohtani.

    Not sure what I’d do with Max. His option is 10 mil, which still pretty cheap. As much as I’d like to incorporate Busch’s bat into the lineup, I’m not sure Busch can play adequate defense anywhere … not that Max is Brooks Robinson or anything at third.

    There’s moron, there’s imbecile … I’m a simple man. I just prefer idiot. Each word has its uses and appropriateness for certain contexts.

    However, our friend Scott Andes defies any of these categorizations. He is a category all to himself, right Scott? LOL! Oh come on, Scott! You know you love the attention.

    Here’s a philosophical question I’ve been contemplating. It’s one of those – “if a tree falls in the woods …” type of conundrums.

    If I tell myself I’m a good and virtuous person by contrasting my good and virtuous self with other not-so-good and virtuous people who use the word “moron” because it’s an insult – and good and virtuous people don’t insult people – am I still a good and virtuous person if I passive aggressively insult that person because of his use of the word “moron” as an insult? I think I just confused myself with that sentence.

    Bluto, I saw your comment on Jeff’s site (and Badger’s response). I’ll take it to heart and
    TRY to avoid needlessly needling people personally. However, I will say in my defense that I was critical of Jeff, yes, but I made pains to be polite about it. I even followed up the criticism with a compliment on his article which, aside from his backhanded stabs at other content creators, was a characteristically good analysis. I just find it all disingenuous – insulting others while maintaining the fiction that you’re above insulting others. It’s like having your cake and eating it.

    My sparring with Scott was just me playing around. That folks over there were clutching pearls over that tells me a few of them have cubic zirconia factories in their sphincters. Not my style. I don’t want to feel like I’m in church when I’m involved in baseball blogs. I like banter.

    1. Hey Patch, Scott is banned over here. He might read your comments, but he can’t answer them here. I myself try to refrain from name calling anymore, especially on Jeff’s or this blog. Not always successful, but at least I put forth an effort. I believe L.A. will kick the tires on Ohtani. When you get down to it, he really does not have a ton of options if he wants to stay on the west coast. LA, the Giants, Padres and Seattle are about it. Seattle’s draw would be playing for the same team as Ichiro. SF and SD both would hate to see him come to the Dodgers. Depending on what his contract demands are the Dodgers will make him an offer based on what they deem is his worth to the team. I doubt they will make some insane offer, and 600 mil is insane. 450, they might go there. What they also might do is front load a deal like they tried to do with Harper. If they got five good years out of him as a pitcher, they would be extremely fortunate as we all know how easy it is for a pitcher over 30 to break down. He has already been shut down twice this year. The last time for arm fatigue. I think the Angels chances of bringing him back have sunk to below 20%. Angels today called up their first-round draft pick from this season! 6 weeks after he was drafted. Nolan Shaunel. The # 11 pick in the draft. Kid is hitting .370 in the minors. The Mets DFA’d former Dodger Edwin Uceta.

      1. As you mentioned Bear, I wouldn’t go sleepless on Seattle when it comes to Ohtani.
        Seattle is among the most prominent Japanese cultural hubs in the United States. In fact, there has been a large and thriving Japanese American community in the Greater Seattle Area since the mid-1880’s. They have a long history of success with Japanese players, obviously Ichiro being the most famous. The Mariners have had 9 Japanese born players do well for them. Only the Mets have more with 12. They even had a Manager with Japanese ancestry, Don Wakamatsu. Ohtani will be a big deal anywhere, but he would be a bonanza in the NW.

  6. Everybody likes Max Muncy. For whatever reason, he just can’t hit for a higher average.

    .200 and below is just not cutting it. Guessing the Dodgers make changes in 2024.

    Definitely think the Dodgers need to give Michael Busch a legitimate shot.

    I think Shohei Ohtani makes too much sense for the Dodgers to pass up.

    If the Angels are generating $20 million plus in revenue streams because of Ohtani’s presence, then the Dodgers can drive those streams to $30 million or more.

    This is a new world. Not the old days.

    This is an amazing run for the Dodgers. Lance Lynn is pitching better than Verlander.

  7. As usual, the Dodgers are not forthcoming with what really ails Martinez ..or maybe JDM hasn’t been open to the Dodgers about the real extent of his pain/injury. Either way, if “more time” were the answer to fix his health woes, Martinez would have already been put on the shelf weeks ago. But it hasn’t happened, and that portends an unhappy ending for JD this season — just as I postulated over a month ago. So how would the Dodgers cope in the long run if/when this big blow happens.

  8. Lynn sold me on his acquisition last night. He didn’t have his best stuff, but armed with veteran guile, mound presence, competitiveness, and bulldog determination, he managed to shut out the Brewers thru 7 innings. Nice, real nice! He’s exactly the kind of guy this rotation needed. Great pick up by AF.

  9. Thursday scores
    Salt Lake 9, Oklahoma City 5
    Frisco 3, Tulsa 2
    Great Lakes 5, Lansing 3
    Visalia 3, Rancho Cucamonga 2

    Friday schedule
    4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Justin Wrobleski) at Lansing (Joelvis Del Rosario)
    5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (River Ryan) at Frisco (Seth Nordlin)
    5:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Landon Knack/Kyle Hurt) at Salt Lake (Carson Fulmer)
    6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Chris Campos) at Visalia (Wyatt Wendell)

  11. What a great baseball game last night. I love pitcher’s duels. Lance Lynn is making AF look like Nostradamus. What an addition. I’ve talked lately about players being motivated to succeed in different ways. I tried, as a coach, to find out what worked best for each player. Some played for pride and didn’t want to be scolded, particularly in from of teammates, others needed a kick in the ass occasionally, others you left alone. Mookie plays best when laughing and loose. Freddy has a remarkably short memory after failure. And then there’s Lance Lynn who just plays pissed off. He’s angry. It’s like you’re taking food out of his kid’s mouths. He doesn’t get many mound visit pep talks. He’s like Bob Gibson. If you visit he might tear your face off. I love his competitiveness. He had about C- stuff last night but he’s going to battle all the way.
    I couldn’t be happier for the much maligned Austin Barnes. Have a day! Great defensive game. Well managed with Lynn. And a game winning homer. He saved so many dirt balls. I love the fact that he catches with both feet on the ground with the shin guards doing their job. That may be “old school” now with every catcher dropping on one knee to receive the ball, m but I think it’s the right school. The theory being that it gives the HPU a better look at low pitches and the pitcher a lower target. I call bullshit on that. The HPU should should be watching the ball and if they want a lower target, move the glove down. It absolutely limits a catcher’s ability to block balls wide, in the dirt. Barnes does do that and he blocked everything last night.
    Phillips made it interesting but our defense carried the day.
    Doc can make all the moves he wants and put out any line up and right now anybody and everybody comes through.

    1. Great points Phil!
      Lance Lynn has been tremendous and far exceeded my expectations since he was acquired. He showed great competitiveness in each start and especially last night against Burnes.
      I questioned Friedman for not getting a top starting pitcher, but his additions have all helped the team. He has proven his skill as a great GM once again. The Dodgers are playing great baseball this month and are dominating the division that so many experts conceded to the Padres at the beginning of the year. And the Dodgers have built a 10 game lead despite so many injuries and pitching struggles. It is a pleasure to watch great baseball being played so consistently by the Dodgers and we should enjoy the journey. To win the division this year will be a great achievement no matter how the postseason goes. I like the grittiness of this team, and am hopeful they can make a run to the World Series championship.

    1. I just read up on it. The Dominican has very strict laws about relations with a minor. They were school sweethearts and an item when she was just 15. His kid was born in 2018 which would make her 16 when she had the baby. You are so right, and the guy is only 22 years old. And we thought Puig was bad.

      1. You missed the news last week Phil. D-Train won’t be doing anymore analysis gigs. He will do pre and post, but no more time in the booth.

    2. Good with me bringing back D-Train. That will keep him off the air.
      Like fish, he begins the stink in 3 days.

  14. Phillips wasn’t overly sharp last night but I’ve noticed that most of his so-so performances lately have been after he hadn’t pitched in a while. He’s best when he’s pitching every 2 or 3 days.

    The last two times he’s given up runs were when he had pitched either 4 or 5 days previously, and last night it had been 5 days since he was last used. Seems like a fairly easy fix to me. If it’s been 3 days since he was last in a game, make sure he throws an inning that night.

    1. I propose the team always makes sure he pitches 2 days before an important outing.

      Just create a time-traveling post-it.

    1. Interesting pickup. He’s been a decent player for the last few years. Fell off a cliff this year. Sounds kinda familiar. He will probably be the NL player of the month for September.

      1. Not likely Jayne. Wong became expendable when the Mariners picked up Josh Rojas from the D-Backs. The D-Backs also got Sewald and the Mariners promptly blow about 3 saves after that.
        I want to see the Mariners get interested in Nick Madrigal from the Cubs. The Cubs don’t seem to like him much and he’s playing 3rd base where he’s really out of position.

  17. Mookie could be a “gold glover” at second base. He likes playing there. I like the idea of him being permanent there. Thoughts? I realize he is a Gold Glove in the outfield. I haven’t checked, however, are his hitting stats better when he is playing second/short?

    1. I would move him there full-time next season. Lux will be back, and they have enough open payroll to go out and get a very good right fielder. Or they could re-sign Heyward, who has played excellent defense out there and bring in a young RH hitting outfielder. If they can trade Taylor, I would re-sign Hernandez to do Taylor’s job. It will be a very interesting winter that is for sure. Alcantara against the Cat-Man tonight. Hard to believe Alcantara is 5-10 with a 4.09 ERA. He was so very good last year. Change in the schedule, there will be no game on Sunday. The Dodgers are playing a day-night doubleheader against the Marlins on Saturday. No reason listed for the change. But I just saw it on the schedule on their website. First game at noon. Second game at 6:10. They then get two days off before playing Cleveland on Tuesday.

  18. Just got this news alert on my phone
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Sunday home game vs. the Miami Marlins has been rescheduled for a split doubleheader with starts of 12:00 p.m. (PT) and 6:10 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.

    For ticket holders, all of Sunday’s rescheduled games will now become the early afternoon games of Saturday’s split doubleheaders. Saturday’s originally scheduled games remain intact.
    I guess Hillary has screwed us again

    1. I just posted that. And the reason is Hurricane Hilary. They rescheduled all of the west coast games. Finally named one after the wicked witch of Arkansas.

  19. 10:10 PM ET

    Marlins (63-59)
    Dodgers (74-46)

    SP Sandy Alcantara R
    5-10 4.09 ER
    SP Tony Gonsolin R
    8-4 4.24 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    2B Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    3B Max Muncy L
    DH J. Martinez R
    LF D. Peralta L
    RF J. Heyward L
    CF James Outman L
    SS Miguel Rojas R

    77° Wind 1 mph L-R

  20. Gonsolin needs to go out with Lance Lynn and have a beer.
    He’s got too much darn kitty and not enough junkyard mean dog in him.
    He is painful to watch, afraid to throw the ball in the strike zone
    Who trusts him in a playoff game

    1. He just runs off the mound like no big deal. Not a freaking expletive out of him.
      Putting us in a big hole with a doubleheader coming up tomorrow

  22. Agree no expletives from him.
    Either claim injury or asked to be demoted, his stuff is terrible.

  24. 5 homeruns!!

    Bring RPepiot and shutdown this guy. He is obviously hurt. You’re not kidding anyone with that piss poor 92 no movement fast ball, just saying.

  25. Does anyone have an address for Gonsolin so we can send him a get well card while he’s on the IL? Pepiot’s turn

  28. I refuse to care about the Dodgers for the rest of this year, if they let Kitty Cat pitch again this season.

  29. Can someone comment why manager Roberts put up with Gonsolin so much, to the point of allowing himself to be massacred?

    1. Bear, thanks for the write-up on Max, but the idea that Max is a “black hole” in the lineup is total nonsense. Not even the Book of Moron would make that claim.
      It’s remarkable how a low batting average and extra strikeouts can make a Dodger fan be so dismissive of Max’s production.
      This season, with 41 games left to play, Max is on pace for more than 35 HRs, more than 100 RBIs and more than 90 runs scored.
      And consider this: He’s achieved this pace even though he has played in 100 of the Dodgers 121 games so far. Every team in the majors would welcome such a “black hole” in their lineup.
      Sure, we’re not getting the Maximum Max in his prime at 1B, when he was second only to Belli in power stats. But this isn’t the post-injury Minimum Max of early 2022 either. Your analysis neglects how Max raised his game in the second half last season. After the all-star game, Max posted a healthy .791 OPS, which was higher than both Will Smith and Trea Turner. His OPS now is .801, just a bit better than his second-half numbers in 2022.

      I understand and sometimes share the frustration that Max sometimes looks at pitches he should clobber. Today he picked up his 29th HR and his 67th walk. Mookie is the only Dodger with more of each. Twice in recent weeks he accounted for the Dodgers’ production in two 2-1 wins, with 3HRs and a clutch bases-loaded walk. Can a walk really be “clutch”? Of course!
      Comparing Max and JDM is interesting. JDM, rightfully an all-star, has the higher OPS and BA, but Max has a higher OBP. JDM strikes out more frequently, with 119 Ks against only 28 walks (in 91 games). Max, in 100 games, has K’d 113 against those 67 walks.
      If the current trend continues, Max will finish with at .195 BA but also with and .801 OPS, 37 HRs, 103 RBI and 91 runs scored–and half of the LADT audience will want to get rid of him.

    2. I think this is one of those, “Let’s give Tony a chance to right the ship.”
      With a 10-game lead in the West, it hardly matters for the team as a whole. Tough for Tony, but he’ll get another chance. If Pepiot has a great outing, he could become the 5th starter.

    1. Miguel Rojas is an upgrade on Hansel Alberto…
      The Dodgers were due a drubbing, so I’m searching for some silver linings.
      — The most obvious might be further confirmation that Gonsolin is the weak link in the rotation. Assuming good health, Kershaw, Urias, Lynn and Miller are excellent front four. Great opportunity for Pepiot to step up.
      –Mookie, Max and Outman all flexed their power. With 41 games left in the season, Mookie is on pace to reach 40 HRs for the first time, Max on pace for 35 (yet again) and the rookie on pace for 20. Not shabby.
      –Dodgers mounted a late rally to load the bases with no outs on a walk to Max and singles by Barnes (!) and Peralta. Alas, Rosario, Outman and Rojas did not deliver a big hit. Still, the Dodgers showed fight while they were down by 8 and after Roberts decided to rest Mookie, Freddie and JDM.
      –Over the last 5.2 innings, the bullpen allowed only a single run on one hit and two walks. It was good to see Victor Gonzalez back in action, getting two clean frames with two Ks, followed by Vesia with two more Ks in one clean inning.

    1. That is amazing. I’d never seen that before.
      I remember Blowers playing for the Dodgers
      Got to give Tony credit for taking questions. A lot of guys would have left the Clubhouse.
      Didn’t like his answers, though he should’ve just said I just didn’t have it I stunk
      And why does he have to talk to Dave Roberts? He should know if he’s injured or not.

  33. AF, please put Tony Gonsolin on the IL and leave him there for the rest of the season. The way he is pitching right now, he will be of no benefit to us in the playoffs. He’s throwing batting practice right now to the opposing teams. Rather see Stone,Sheehan,Knack or Pepiot in his spot in the rotation and see which one could make the playoff roster. Catman is done in 2023.

  34. Anyone else notice that Ohtani hit another slam today?
    That’s his 43rd HR, tied with Olson, and his OPS is 1.075, which is 84 points higher than Freddie in the runner up position. In the AL Triple Crown watch, Ohtani leads in HRs and is third in both RBI and BA.
    Sadly, Luke Raley spoiled the Angels’ chances with a line drive in the 10th that was wide of rookie 1B Nolan Schaneul. Not sure about that spelling, but he was drafted THIS YEAR. Angels are that desperate to find some magic to get into the Wild Card. The guy was a great college hitter and walked more than he struck out. I approve of the desperation.

  35. Someone posted the other day that Tony Gonsolin would be a good #4 in the post season……uh no thanks. He looks lost, has no put away pitch, is throwing BP to opposing teams and inspires zero confidence. Don’t think he would be a wise addition the BP right now either.

    Hoping Pepiot throws well in his post season audition today and can get inserted into the rotation. Sadly, it appears Tony might be going the way of Ross Stripling and others. Solid start to his career, but a very quick decline in performance/success. Is it an injury? League has caught up to him? Between the ears?

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