Is Max Muncy the MLB’s Best-Kept Secret Ready to Take the Top Spot?

Every year, MLB Now drops their much-anticipated Top 10 lists for every position just before the season kicks off. This time around, they focused on third basemen—and boy, did it stir the pot. Max Muncy, yes, that Max Muncy—the guy many griped about last year for his shaky defense—grabbed the #2 spot on The Shredder’s rundown. Yup, he ranked above the likes of Manny Machado, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette, which might raise some eyebrows. But when you peel back the layers, it makes a heck of a lot more sense. The veteran Muncy, not to be mistaken with his Athletics namesake, chalked up 100 games last season boasting a .243/.376/.470/.846 slash line and knocked 19 homers, posting a 3.6 WAR—the best he’s managed in the past four years. Despite battling injuries over the last couple of seasons, his knack for drawing walks keeps him in the upper echelon, ranking top three in walk rate across the Majors. When you put it alongside other third basemen, he leads in OBP, walk percentage, and expected wOBA, while also sitting high in slugging, wRC+, and WAR categories. Sure, he’s turning 36 this August and will be hitting free agency at season’s end—but snagging the #2 spot in all of baseball? That’s no small feat. Here’s hoping it nudges him towards re-signing and finishing his career draped in Dodger Blue, where his World Series ring count already outshines Machado’s. Curious to dive deeper? LEARN MORE

MLB Now always runs their Top 10 at every position before the season starts. Wednesday was Third Baseman day.

According to The Shredder, Max Muncy is #2 on their list, ahead of Manny Machado, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette, among others. That may come as a surprise to some fans, who complained about Muncy’s defense last season. The older Max Muncy, not to be confused with the one on the Athletics, appeared in 100 games last season, with a slash line of .243/.376/.470/.846 with 19 homers. He had a 3.6 WAR, the highest of his last four seasons.

While he has missed a lot of time due to injury over the last two seasons, he also is top three in walk rate in the Majors. In that same time frame, among all third basemen, he was 1st in OBP, walk percentage and xwOBA, fourth in slugging, second in wRC+, and seventh in WAR,

Muncy will turn 36 in August and will be a free agent at the end of the season. Ranked #2 in all of baseball is not too shabby if a bit unexpected, and hopefully it will propel him to signing another contract with the team and retiring in Dodger Blue. One thing we definitely know is that he will retire with more World Series rings than Machado.

Eric talked about the state of the Dodgers infield yesterday.

After wildfires ripped through Pacific Palisades and Altadena last January, Governor Gavin Newsom announced in front of Dodger Stadium that there would be an initiative called LA Rises, to which philanthropists and the private sector could donate to, to help those affected recover.

Mark Walter, Chairman and controlling owner of the Dodgers, announced that he along with two of his charities, his family foundation and the Dodgers’ foundation, would donate up to $100 million. To date, only $7.8 million has been donated. LA Rises itself has only delivered $20 million to date. Bill Shaikin of the LA Times covers why that is so, and if any further money is coming to those who really need it.

Happy Anniversary to us! Six years ago, on February 4th, the Dodgers made the big move to bring Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers. Mookie now has four World Series rings and will retire in Dodger Blue. Another masterclass move by Andrew Friedman.