CJ Garcia
Max Muncy has become a fan favorite since bursting onto the scene, seemingly out of nowhere, in 2018. Which is why I know what I have to say will ruffle some feathers, but hear me out…
Max Muncy was never considered a platoon guy due to his equally good splits from 2018 to 2021 against both right-handed and left-handed pitching. In 2018 & 2019, Muncy hit 35 home runs in both seasons and 36 in 2021, mashing against everyone. In the last three seasons, though, we have seen Muncy’s numbers against left-handed pitchers take a massive nosedive that I think should not be overlooked.
From 2018 to 2021, against left-handed pitching, Muncy slashed .259/.370/.514, along with an .884 OPS and 138 wRC+. Muncy’s ability to hit both lefties and righties is what made him special and a key piece to the success of the Dodgers. As hitters age, their batted ball metrics and some aspects of their game deteriorate, but for Muncy, the drop-off began in his age thirty-one season. Muncy’s struggles against lefties also does coincide with his elbow injury that ended his 2021 season, so that is definitely something to note.
Max Muncy has been a different hitter over the last 3 seasons. After that pretty equal split stretch from 2018 to 2021, 2022 to 2024 has been the polar opposite. Over the past three seasons against LHP, Muncy has posted .168/.289/.398 and a .687 OPS and 93 wRC+. The struggles for Muncy are apparent, and there is a tremendous drop-off from what makes Max Muncy the Max Muncy we know.
I love Max Muncy. He is fun to watch and brings a certain edge to this team, but as evident by the title, I think he should be platooned at third base starting in 2025. He has not slugged against lefties, got on base, or brought much offensive value against them over the last three seasons. I initially thought that they would platoon him with Kiké Hernandez should we bring him back unless we make a move for someone else.
That being said, I am not unaware that Muncy had a good return from his oblique injury, that his defense became about league average, and that he had an outstanding National League Championship Series. All of those things can be true, along with my point.
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