After a breakout campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Max Muncy now heads into the 2019 season ranked by MLB Network’s The Shredder as the No. 4 first basemen in all of baseball. Muncy additionally ranked seventh by Ben Lindbergh and Mike Petriello, and second by Vince Gennaro.
It marked Muncy’s first time being recognized for such a list by MLB Network. Cody Bellinger did not appear on the list, as The Shredder considered him a center fielder for their rankings, which saw him place second.
Muncy was among the Dodgers who spent time at multiple positions, though saw the bulk of it at first base. Among players at his position with a minimum of 400 plate appearances, Muncy’s 161 OPS+ was best in baseball, his walk rate was fourth, and 162 wRC+ was fifth.
Additionally, Muncy’s 35 home runs last season tied with Jesús Aguilar for most by a first baseman. He paced the Dodgers in the category and led the team with a .973 on-base plus slugging percentage.
The remarkable season led to the 28-year-old participating in the Home Run Derby, which saw Muncy advance to the second round before falling to eventual champion and hometown favorite Bryce Harper.
While Muncy saw some regression during the second half of 2018, particularly against left-handed pitching, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident Muncy is capable of making necessary adjustments and producing at a similar level in 2019.
One change that figures to come which position Muncy will play. The signing of A.J. Pollock should bump Bellinger into the infield with more regularity, which in turn will require Muncy to slide over to second base.
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Ben Lindbergh | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Goldschmidt (STL) | Paul Goldschmidt (STL) | Freddie Freeman (ATL) | Freddie Freeman (ATL) |
| 2 | Freddie Freeman (ATL) | Freddie Freeman (ATL) | Paul Goldschmidt (STL) | Max Muncy (LAD) |
| 3 | Joey Votto (CIN) | Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | Joey Votto (CIN) | Paul Goldschmidt (STL) |
| 4 | Max Muncy (LAD) | Joey Votto (CIN) | Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | Joey Votto (CIN) |
| 5 | Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | Matt Olson (OAK) | Matt Olson (OAK) | Anthony Rizzo (CHC) |
| 6 | Matt Olson (OAK) | Rhys Hoskins (PHI) | Rhys Hoskins (PHI) | Rhys Hoskins (PHI) |
| 7 | Justin Smoak (TOR) | Max Muncy (LAD) | Max Muncy (LAD) | Jesús Aguilar (MIL) |
| 8 | Jesús Aguilar (MIL) | Jesús Aguilar (MIL) | Brandon Belt (SFG) | Matt Olson (OAK) |
| 9 | Rhys Hoskins (PHI) | Miguel Cabrera (DET) | Jesús Aguilar (MIL) | Miguel Cabrera (DET) |
| 10 | José Abreu (CHW) | Daniel Murphy (COL) | José Abreu (CHW) | Justin Smoak (TOR) |
