MAX MUNCY: FREEWAY SERIES RECAP
Max Muncy: Freeway Series 2021
The last three games of Spring Training came as per usual against the Angels in the Freeway Series. Slugger Max Muncy opened strong at the plate, adding one walk and three hits to his ST record.
March 28 – At Angel Stadium
Oh boy, did Mad Max the Road Warrior show up to this game! On the sixth pitch of his first at bat, Max knocked a blast of a two run homer off of Angels starter Andrew Heaney. In the third, he popped up to Rendon, but the contact (and, ok, probably the pitch count) chased Heaney from the game. In the fifth, Max went yard once more on a solo homer off of reliever Griffin Canning. Despite the dual dingers from Max and homers from Seager and Lux, the Dodgers couldn’t quite pull of a win.
Dodgers lost to the Angels 5-6
March 29 – At Dodger Stadium
In the first inning, Muncy came up for a two out, bases loaded at bat. He fell behind 0-2 on curveballs from pitcher Shohei Ohtani. A wild pitch sent Max sprinting out of the box so that Corey Seager could score. After six pitches, Max hit a foul tip into the pitcher’s glove, striking out.
In the third inning, he blasted a screaming comebacker at Ohtani that had them both a little startled, but left all unharmed. Muncy has been lighting up the middle of the field lately. Note to pitchers: when throwing to Max Muncy, be prepared to duck.
In the fifth, Muncy struck out swinging on the fourth pitch. It was the only at bat of the entire series where he didn’t see at least five or more pitches.
Dodgers won against the Angels 2-10
March 30 – At Dodger Stadium
In the first, Max managed to work a two out walk but was left on base. He struck out swinging in the third, then looked at all three of the strikes in a six pitch strikeout. Not Max’s best day in the batter’s box.
Dodgers won against the Angels 4-6
Max Muncy Spring Training Overall Recap
All in all, it looks like Max is waking up at the plate. He’s the kind of hitter who needs a Spring Training and it looks like he definitely got it. Compared to the rest of the team, he’s perhaps lagging in stats, but seeing Max come to life at Angel Stadium makes me feel that our Road Warrior is still swinging strong. The Freeway Series Max Muncy looks much closer to the 2019 version of the slugger. If he can keep his fingers free from fastballs, I think we can expect the same in the 2021 season.
Defensively, he’s been solid at first base. He’s had a few gnarly throws get away, but he’s dug out even more for the out. Not gonna lie, I liked watching Muncy at second base when he played. He made some rather spectacular leaps and catches in that position. But as we know from the failed Joc Experiment, a solid first baser is critical to a team’s success. They have that in Muncy. If he keeps his bat hot and his feet solid, Muncy may settle in to the role for a few seasons yet to come.
WEEKLY STATS:
WEEKLY STATS:
BA: .229
OPS: .788
R: 2 (12)
RBI: 3 (6)
AB: 8 (48)
BB: 1 (9)
2B: 0 (1)
3B: 0 (0)
HR: 2 (3)
SB: 0 (0)
For more on Max Muncy and his stats, click here.
For last week’s recap, click here.
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