LOS ANGELES — The light tower power is legendary (“Go get it out of the ocean”). And the rest of the baseball world is catching up to what Dodger fans have known for a while: Max Muncy is an elite third baseman.
This week, MLB Network and its “Shredder” have released its list of the game’s best third basemen. Atop the list was the Guardians’ Jose Ramirez. No shock there. Dude is clutch all the way around. But the next name on the list might surprise you: our very own Max Muncy. That’s right. Ahead of Alex Bregman. Ahead of Manny Machado. Ahead of Nolan Arenado. Max Muncy. Elite.
We know about the homers. But last year, Max’s work at the hot corner got the Dodgers out of more than a few sticky situations. Think back to 2025’s legendary playoff run. First, there was the wheel play in Philly. Then, in the World Series, Muncy stood his ground and snagged an Andres Gimenez liner that was screaming right for his head. He’ll never be in the Gold Glove conversation, true, but he’s been more than adequate as a defender since moving to third with Freddie Freeman’s arrival in 2022.
And let’s not forget, it’s third base where Muncy started his career with the Dodgers. After Justin Turner was injured in early 2018, Max was grabbed off the scrap heap after being DFA’d by the Oakland Athletics. He filled in admirably while Turner healed up his broken wrist and he’s been a mainstay in the lineup ever since.
It’s not just the power. His eye in the batter’s box leads to lots of walks, and creates a lot of traffic on the LA basepaths. With those walks propping up the average, he leads all third sackers with a .376 on-base percentage and a 137 rWC+. Those are number that most teams would mortage the farm for. And we’ve got it from a guy who’s hitting in the six or seven hole.
Take a victory lap, Max. You deserve it.
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