Max Muncy is having one of the best seasons of his career in what has been a culmination of years of hard work.
The first 2026 MLB All-Star Game voting update showed that the Los Angeles Dodgers’ third baseman was the leading vote getter in the National League at his position. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages also received the most votes at their respective positions.
Muncy would become the first Dodgers third baseman to start the All-Star Game since Ron Cey in 1977.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this specific selection would be of significance for Muncy.
“I think the defense has been as good as it’s been since I can recall,” Roberts said. “The way he’s moving, period. The way he’s catching it, accurate arm, always had an accurate arm, the body, he put in a lot of work with his body this offseason to put himself in a good spot, and then I think, that’s helped the consistency of the swing mechanics.
“But also I think for me, Max has really matured as far as not letting things that he can’t control bother him. I think in years past, when it didn’t go well, it would start to speed up, and I think that now he’s managed the lows, and the highs have been much more consistent.
“And I said this even last year, year and a half ago, he’s just a better hitter now. I do think that he values getting a hit more than he used to, and for me it’s fun to watch him take at-bats, and be a hitter, and then runs into a homer. So it’s fun, and I’m happy to see him at the top.
“But this All-Star Game, if it works out, this is going to mean a lot to him.”
While progress is not always linear, it certainly has been for Muncy. The 2024 season was an indicator that he still had plenty of gas left in the tank despite being limited to 73 games due to injury.
Last season was a continuation of that success over a longer period and was even better in some ways. In addition to providing slug, Muncy showed growth in his ability to get on base and significantly improved his walk-to-strikeout ratio.
The improvement can be attributed in part to new prescription glasses that have calibrated his eyes more evenly, particularly his left eye.
And in 2026, Muncy’s production has continued to trend upward while also playing in 68 of the Dodgers’ 75 games this season.
Dave Roberts makes All-Star case for Max Muncy
With the All-Star voting process in full effect, Roberts made his case as to why Muncy and some of the Dodgers’ other starters deserve a trip to Philadelphia.
A selection to this year’s All-Star Game would be the third of Muncy’s career and first since 2021.
“It’s great,” Roberts said of Muncy being on track to make the All-Star team. “I think that he kind of came onto the scene pretty quickly, and hit a bunch of homers, made a couple All-Star teams, two or three, but then he had a little drought.
“So to see his name in the lights with all those other guys, I think that’s a really personal, fulfilling thing for him.”
An All-Star nod would be a well-deserved reward for Muncy, especially considering his promising 2024 and 2025 seasons that were constrained by injuries.
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