Max Muncy
Maxwell Steven Muncy, commonly known as Max Muncy, is an American professional baseball infielder who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).[1] Born on August 25, 1990, in Midland, Texas, Muncy stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds, batting left-handed and throwing right-handed.[1] He primarily plays third base but has also seen action at first and second base throughout his career.[2] Muncy attended Baylor University, where he played college baseball, and was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft.[1] He made his MLB debut with the Athletics on April 25, 2015, appearing in 96 games over two seasons (2015–2016) with the Athletics, hitting .195 with 5 home runs.[2] After being released by Oakland in March 2017, Muncy signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee, where he excelled in Triple-A before earning a spot on the major league roster in 2018.[1] His 2018 season marked a dramatic breakout, as Muncy hit .263 with 35 home runs and 79 RBIs, helping the Dodgers reach the World Series for the second straight year.[1] Over the following years, he established himself as a power-hitting cornerstone of the Dodgers' lineup, earning All-Star selections in 2019 and 2021.[2] Muncy has been a key contributor to the team's success, including three World Series championships in 2020, 2024, and 2025, with notable postseason performances such as a walk-off home run in the 2018 World Series and setting the Dodgers' franchise record for career playoff home runs (14) during the 2025 postseason.[3] Career highlights include 36 home runs in both 2021 and 2023, despite battles with injuries like a broken wrist in 2019, an elbow issue in 2021, an oblique strain in 2024, and a knee bruise in 2025 that limited his regular-season play.[4] Through the 2025 season, Muncy has compiled a .229 batting average with over 200 home runs, embodying a resilient journeyman-to-star trajectory in MLB.[2]Early life and amateur career
Early life
Maxwell Steven Muncy was born on August 25, 1990, in Midland, Texas.[5][6] He was raised by his parents, Lee Muncy and Midge Muncy, in a family originally from the Cleveland, Ohio, area that relocated to Texas in 1979 when Lee began his career in the oil and gas industry as a geologist.[7][8][9] Muncy grew up with two older brothers, Derek, an aerospace engineer, and Mike, a geologist who followed in their father's professional footsteps.[10][5] The family settled in Keller, Texas, where Muncy's upbringing emphasized athletic participation, with his parents both actively involved in sports.[11][6] During his early years, Muncy engaged in a variety of sports beyond baseball, playing multiple activities whenever possible to develop his physical skills and competitive drive.[11] His father, who had played baseball at Cuyahoga Community College and in men's leagues, influenced his development by incorporating informal training sessions, such as practicing swings with unconventional items like a soft mini-globe obtained from an oil and gas convention.[12][5] Additionally, Muncy's older brothers often included him in their games, fostering a family environment centered on physical activity and teamwork from a young age.[7]High school career
Muncy attended Keller High School in Keller, Texas, where he focused on baseball as a multi-sport athlete but primarily excelled in the sport during his three varsity seasons with the Keller Indians.[13] Playing infield under head coach Rob Stramp, Muncy developed as a versatile defender capable of handling third base and second base, while also seeing time in the outfield.[13] His athletic profile featured a solid 6-foot, 180-pound frame, good bat speed, and a quiet approach at the plate that produced consistent line drives with some lift, as noted in scouting evaluations.[14] In his junior year of 2008, Muncy helped lead the Indians to a strong 23-11 overall record, securing the District 5-5A championship along with bi-district and area playoff victories.[13][15] The team's success underscored Muncy's contributions as a reliable infielder in a competitive Texas high school circuit. As a senior in 2009, Muncy's performance drew professional scouting attention for his contact skills and athleticism, culminating in his selection by the Cleveland Indians in the 41st round (1,234th overall) of the Major League Baseball Draft out of high school.[16] This late-round pick reflected early recognition of his potential despite his decision to attend college instead.College career
Muncy enrolled at Baylor University in 2009 and played college baseball for the Baylor Bears from 2010 to 2012, appearing primarily as a first baseman and infielder. Prior to college, he had been selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 41st round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft out of high school but chose not to sign, instead pursuing his collegiate career at Baylor.[17][1] As a freshman in 2010, Muncy appeared in 59 games, batting .300 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs, setting Baylor freshman records for home runs, RBIs, and multi-RBI games (17). He was recognized as a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper for his performance. In his sophomore season of 2011, he started all 59 games, leading the team with a .322 batting average, 73 hits, 40 runs, 44 RBIs, 9 home runs, and a .511 slugging percentage, earning first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.[18][1][13]| Year | Games | AVG | HR | RBI | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 (Freshman) | 59 | .300 | 11 | 53 | Freshman All-American; set school freshman records for HR, RBI, multi-RBI games |
| 2011 (Sophomore) | 59 | .322 | 9 | 44 | Led team in AVG, hits, runs, RBI, HR, slugging; All-Big 12 first team |
| 2012 (Junior) | 66 | .322 | 7 | 56 | Helped win Big 12 title; All-Big 12 second team |