The 2021 MLB Draft will begin on July 11, 2021, in Atlanta, Ga. We take a look at high schooler Max Muncy, a lean and athletic shortstop prospect from California.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Draft Profiles.
Maxwell Muncy, SS, Thousand Oaks HS (Calif.)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 170 lbs.
Age: 18
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
2018: 26G, .325/.361/.415, 25 H, 8 RBI
2019: 26G, .382/.474/.618, 29 H, 19 RBI, 2 HR
2020: 8G, .321/.424/.428, 9 H, 3 RBI
2021: 18G, .485/.585/.909, 32 H, 29 RBI, 6 HR
Scouting Grades
Hit: 60
Power: 60
Run: 50
Field: 50
Throw: 55
Muncy, not to be confused with the Los Angeles Dodgers big-leaguer of the same name and birthday, is a versatile middle infielder with a loud ability at the plate. He is polished in the field and projects as a long-time infielder, though he could shift from shortstop to third base eventually. He has a solid arm and big bat, boasting impressive power. The 18-year-old also spent some time on the mound, employing a mid-80s fastball as his top pitch.
Strengths
Muncy’s ability to hit the ball stands out. He has a good feel with the bat in his hands, and his approach looks very natural. He’s able to locate his pitch and defend all parts of the zone, rarely getting beat on tricky pitches. He also possesses incredible bat speed with impressive power. Muncy is someone who will put the ball deep in the gap and contribute clutch hits when needed.
Not only is Muncy brilliant at the plate, but he’s solid in the field, too. He currently lines up as a shortstop and has solid glovework. His athleticism, footwork, and range when moving to his left up the middle of the field do not go unnoticed. Meanwhile, once he fields the ball, he uses his above-average arm strength to fire the ball hard (clocked at 87 mph) and accurately to first base no matter the distance. He also has the ability to spin a really smooth double play.
Weaknesses
The biggest weakness surrounding Muncy is his below-average ability to field balls while moving to the right. He shifts to the left seamlessly, but heading the other direction is another story. Because of this, he might not stick at shortstop long-term, and it likely rules out second base, too. That leaves him patrolling the hot corner, which isn’t horrible, but being restricted to just one position is certainly considered a weakness.
Another minor flaw in Muncy’s game is less of a weakness and more of a non-strength. He doesn’t possess blazing speed, though he is aggressive in this department.
All in all, there aren’t too many flaws with Muncy’s performance on the field, but the one concern he does have (his movement to the right and lack of projectability at shortstop) presents a legitimate weakness.
Pro Comparison: Alex Bregman
Bregman and Muncy both have similar spray charts that show their power outputs, as well as their ability to hit to all parts of the field. Bregman was also a shortstop for most of his career until bumping into Carlos Correa in the majors. Finally, the two share a similar frame, with Muncy just one inch taller and 10 pounds lighter. However, their weight gap should shrink as Muncy fills into his frame.
Draft Projection: Late Second Round
Muncy has a very intriguing draft stock amidst a class heavy with prep shortstops. Muncy’s bat is truly impressive and makes him a clear top prospect. Meanwhile, while his performance at shortstop is above-average, solidifying himself at the position rather than necessitating a move to third base could be the difference of a couple of dozen slots in the draft. All in all, the rest of his senior season at Thousand Oaks will be critical in deciding his draft fate, but as of now, a switch to third base in the pros seems most likely. As such, he’ll likely hear his name called in the back half of the second round.
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Main Image Credit: Richard Gillard/Acorn Newspapers
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