Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy entered the 2019 season looking to build off a career 2018 campaign in which he broke out as one of baseball’s most productive power hitters.
The 28-year-old burst on to the scene to lead the Dodgers in home runs (35) and finish second in RBI (79) despite beginning the year in the Minors.
That kind of success all but assured Muncy a spot in the evverday lineup this season, which he admitted attributed to a unique feel in Spring Training.
To no surprise, opposing pitchers have approached Muncy differently this season. Muncy has been forced to adjust himself as a result, which he believes hasn’t gotten enough attention, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“The industry always seems to think that it’s only them that makes the adjustment, it’s not both sides,” Muncy said. “So, yes, they’re going to make adjustments. But we’re going to make adjustments to them. That does seem to be a thing, where everyone says ‘Oh, he’s not going to do what he did last year, because people know what he does.’ Or ‘people know how to pitch him now.’ Or whatever they say.”
“It’s one of those things where you wonder, well, why can’t it be the other way around?” Muncy said. “Why can’t it be, well, now I know how they want to pitch me?”
After a slow start at the plate in Spring Training, Muncy revealed that he began making strives during the exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
While Muncy has seen his production drop a bit when compared to last season, the numbers still indicate he is an above-league average hitter.
Through 23 games, Muncy is batting .233/.318/.493 (113 OPS+) with two doubles, one triple, five home runs and 14 RBI over 85 plate appearances.
