Max Muncy Appreciation

Max Muncy's career was on life support before he donned Dodger blue. DFA'd by the A's in 2017, he was a fringe player bouncing between the majors and minors.

Then came the Dodgers. A low-risk signing that year, followed by adjustments in the minors. By 2018, he was a new player: legit power, better plate discipline, an everyday bat.

Here is how the transformation happened:

• The Swing Overhaul: Working with the Dodgers' staff at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Muncy moved away from a contact-first approach to one that prioritized his natural "lift and pull" profile. They unlocked his ability to drive the ball in the air consistently.

• Tactical Patience: He didn't just swing harder; he swung smarter. Muncy developed an elite eye for the zone, transforming into a walk machine. He forced pitchers to come to him, and when they missed, he made them pay.

• Positional Versatility: The Dodgers didn't box him into one role. By proving he could handle first, second, and third base, he became an indispensable piece of the daily lineup puzzle.

The result:

In his first season in L.A., Muncy exploded for 35 home runs and a nearly .400 OBP.

He didn't just fill a gap; he became the heartbeat of the lineup.

From his walk-off homer in the 18th inning of World Series Game 3 to his "Go get it out of the ocean" moment against Madison Bumgarner, he cemented himself as a postseason hero.

From "done" to Dodger legend – a true testament to our player development and a reminder that sometimes, all a talent needs is the right environment to thrive.