As the first half of the season dwindles down, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy continues to shine as one of Major League Baseball’s biggest surprises.
The 27-year-old wasn’t initially in the Dodgers’ plans this year, as he only received a promotion from Triple-A Oklahoma City to serve as depth at third base for the previously injured Justin Turner.
Muncy, though, immediately impressed at the plate and has since earned a prominent role on the team. He enters play on Monday with career highs in nearly every offensive category, including home runs (17), RBI (35), slugging percentage (.608) and on-base plus slugging (1.024).
Having consistently produced at an elite level, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Muncy has earned a platoon role at second base with Logan Forsythe.
Muncy will receive the majority of at-bats against right-handed pitchers, while Forsythe will be reduced to opportunities against southpaws, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
Logan Forsythe, the nominal starter, will be limited to facing left-handers. “With right-handers, I want to make sure Muncy’s bat is in there,” manager Dave Roberts said.
With Turner back from the disabled list and Chris Taylor filling in nicely at shortstop in the absence of Corey Seager, it makes sense for Muncy to take on an extended role at second base, albeit his limited experience there coming into the season.
Muncy follows a similar path as Taylor, who learned center field on the fly last season as an effort to keep his bat in the lineup. Taylor benefitted greatly from the experiment and is now one of the most versatile players in all of baseball as a result.
As a domino effect of Muncy and Forsythe receiving the lion’s share of reps at second base, Roberts additionally revealed that Chase Utley will be limited to only one start per week at the position.
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