Max Muncy

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #9 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Muncy starred under the tutelage of former big leaguer Jack Wilson at Thousand Oaks High, the alma mater of Oakland 2023 first-rounder Jacob Wilson before Wilson attended Grand Canyon. The A’s drafted Muncy 25th overall in 2021 and signed him for $2.85 million on the strength of his hitting ability and athleticism. He has been an inconsistent performer as a pro, but took a step forward after a July 2023 promotion to Double-A Midland.
  
  Scouting Report: While his physicality, athleticism and impact power potential remain intact, Muncy has battled more swing-and-miss concerns than expected given his amateur track record. He can do damage when he connects and shows a propensity to lift and pull pitches, but his pitch selection is a work in progress. He’s an aggressive hitter who hunts fastballs but also gets himself into trouble expanding the strike zone against breaking balls early in the count. His career strikeout rate hovered around 30% prior to arriving in Midland, where it dropped to 23% in 233 plate appearances. Muncy made changes to simplify his approach, toned down his leg kick throughout the season, and also modified his pregame routine at High-A Lansing to encouraging results. His athleticism also translates to shortstop, where he has good lateral quickness. Muncy made fewer mistakes in 2023, cutting his errors nearly in half, but he needs to continue to clean up his footwork. External evaluators note Muncy needs to improve his adjustability to make different types of throws at shortstop, especially with his average arm strength.
  
  The Future: Muncy has the upside of an offensive-minded second-division regular at shortstop, but he needs to prove he can sustain his newfound approach against upper-level pitching to realize his offensive potential. The pressure on the bat will only intensify if he is pushed to a different infield position.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Athletics followed their 2020 first-round selection of Tyler Soderstrom by again drafting a California prep prospect with their first-round pick in 2021, taking Muncy 25th overall and signing him for $2.85 million. They sent Muncy to Low-A Stockton to begin his age-19 season in 2022, where he hit 16 homers through 81 games before a promotion to High-A Lansing in late July. Muncy slashed .229/.336/.422 between the two levels, showing big power (19 homers) while also leading Oakland's system in strikeouts (169).
  
  Scouting Report: Muncy tested out as one of the system's better overall athletes prior to the season and continues to add strength to his frame. He uses his strong hands and wrists to generate ample bat speed and began to consistently flash plus raw power potential in 2022. The power gains came with more swing-and-miss than expected. Muncy's strikeout rate hovered around 30% in 2022 and he tends to overswing at times, even with two strikes. Opposing evaluators noted his setup at the plate can get inconsistent, though he made a subtle change that helped him use the opposite field more later in the season. The A's were also encouraged by Muncy's walk rate and pitch recognition. Muncy made 32 errors at shortstop. He has solid hands, but needs to continue to clean up his actions and become more comfortable throwing from various arm slots. Some evaluators wonder whether his range and arm would be better suited for second base as he continues to grow into his frame.
  
  The Future: Muncy projects as an offensive-minded infielder who could hit 20-25 homers a year, though he'll need to harness his approach to define the quality of his hit tool. The A's felt comfortable challenging Muncy in his first full pro season, and he should return to High-A Lansing to begin 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #4 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Muncy’s path to Oakland was representative of the unusual nature of scouting during a pandemic. With their travel limited to essentially as far as they could drive, the Athletics saw plenty of the California native in the spring leading up to the 2021 draft, including during the state’s high school playoffs in June with the draft pushed back to July. They went slightly over slot to sign Muncy to a $2.85 million deal after selecting him No. 25 overall. He made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in early August.
  
  Scouting Report: Muncy stands out for his athleticism and high-energy style of play. He showed above-average hitting ability as an amateur and the A’s were impressed by the rotational acceleration in his swing. Muncy tinkered with his setup and swing early in his high school season, losing connectivity between his upper half and lower half that led to an uptick in strikeouts. He reverted back to his previous form by the end of the season, shortening his swing and allowing his strong hands and wrists to work in his favor. Defensively, Muncy is a solid-average defender at shortstop and the A’s believe he’ll stick there long-term, though he’ll need to continue to clean up his actions. A move to third base isn’t out of the question if he continues to grow into his wiry frame.
  
  The Future: Muncy, who is not related to the Dodgers slugger of the same name despite sharing the same Aug. 25 birth date, is commended for his makeup and has a chance for above-average tools across the board, though he has a long way to go to get there.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #41 prospect in 2021 draft
  Thousand Oaks (Calif.) High has had a number of major leaguers come out of its program, including all-stars Kurt Stillwell and Jack Wilson. Wilson, the former Pirates shortstop, is now head coach at the school and helped Muncy grow into a top draft prospect. Muncy, who is not related to the Dodgers star of the same name, is a high-energy player with an athletic, strong body. He shows above-average hitting ability with a knack for driving the ball the other way and has the strong hands and wrists to project 20-plus home run potential. He studies opposing pitchers, has a mature approach and is rarely overmatched. Muncy tinkered with his stance and swing early this season and struggled, getting disconnected between his upper and lower halves and showing a long swing that was late to velocity, but he returned to his previous setup and swing at the end of the year and re-established himself as one of the top prep hitters in Southern California. He finished the regular season batting .452 with nine home runs while mostly facing good high school competition. Defensively, Muncy is an above-average runner with the instincts and footwork for shortstop, although he likely will have to move to third base if he gets bigger. He has the short-area quickness and above-average arm strength for the hot corner and enough athleticism to potentially play second base. Muncy’s hitting ability, athleticism and potential defensive versatility have him in top-two rounds consideration. He is committed to Arkansas.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Athletics followed their 2020 first-round selection of Tyler Soderstrom by again drafting a California prep prospect with their first-round pick in 2021, taking Muncy 25th overall and signing him for $2.85 million. They sent Muncy to Low-A Stockton to begin his age-19 season in 2022, where he hit 16 homers through 81 games before a promotion to High-A Lansing in late July. Muncy slashed .229/.336/.422 between the two levels, showing big power (19 homers) while also leading Oakland's system in strikeouts (169).
  
  Scouting Report: Muncy tested out as one of the system's better overall athletes prior to the season and continues to add strength to his frame. He uses his strong hands and wrists to generate ample bat speed and began to consistently flash plus raw power potential in 2022. The power gains came with more swing-and-miss than expected. Muncy's strikeout rate hovered around 30% in 2022 and he tends to overswing at times, even with two strikes. Opposing evaluators noted his setup at the plate can get inconsistent, though he made a subtle change that helped him use the opposite field more later in the season. The A's were also encouraged by Muncy's walk rate and pitch recognition. Muncy made 32 errors at shortstop. He has solid hands, but needs to continue to clean up his actions and become more comfortable throwing from various arm slots. Some evaluators wonder whether his range and arm would be better suited for second base as he continues to grow into his frame.
  
  The Future: Muncy projects as an offensive-minded infielder who could hit 20-25 homers a year, though he'll need to harness his approach to define the quality of his hit tool. The A's felt comfortable challenging Muncy in his first full pro season, and he should return to High-A Lansing to begin 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Athletics followed their 2020 first-round selection of Tyler Soderstrom by again drafting a California prep prospect with their first-round pick in 2021, taking Muncy 25th overall and signing him for $2.85 million. They sent Muncy to Low-A Stockton to begin his age-19 season in 2022, where he hit 16 homers through 81 games before a promotion to High-A Lansing in late July. Muncy slashed .229/.336/.422 between the two levels, showing big power (19 homers) while also leading Oakland's system in strikeouts (169).
  
  Scouting Report: Muncy tested out as one of the system's better overall athletes prior to the season and continues to add strength to his frame. He uses his strong hands and wrists to generate ample bat speed and began to consistently flash plus raw power potential in 2022. The power gains came with more swing-and-miss than expected. Muncy's strikeout rate hovered around 30% in 2022 and he tends to overswing at times, even with two strikes. Opposing evaluators noted his setup at the plate can get inconsistent, though he made a subtle change that helped him use the opposite field more later in the season. The A's were also encouraged by Muncy's walk rate and pitch recognition. Muncy made 32 errors at shortstop. He has solid hands, but needs to continue to clean up his actions and become more comfortable throwing from various arm slots. Some evaluators wonder whether his range and arm would be better suited for second base as he continues to grow into his frame.
  
  The Future: Muncy projects as an offensive-minded infielder who could hit 20-25 homers a year, though he'll need to harness his approach to define the quality of his hit tool. The A's felt comfortable challenging Muncy in his first full pro season, and he should return to High-A Lansing to begin 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Muncy&#39s path to Oakland was representative of the unusual nature of scouting during a pandemic. With their travel limited to essentially as far as they could drive, the Athletics saw plenty of the California native in the spring leading up to the 2021 draft, including during the state&#39s high school playoffs in June with the draft pushed back to July. They went slightly over slot to sign Muncy to a $2.85 million deal after selecting him No. 25 overall. He made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in early August.
  
  Scouting Report: Muncy stands out for his athleticism and high-energy style of play. He showed above-average hitting ability as an amateur and the A&#39s were impressed by the rotational acceleration in his swing. Muncy tinkered with his setup and swing early in his high school season, losing connectivity between his upper half and lower half that led to an uptick in strikeouts. He reverted back to his previous form by the end of the season, shortening his swing and allowing his strong hands and wrists to work in his favor. Defensively, Muncy is a solid-average defender at shortstop and the A&#39s believe he&#39ll stick there long-term, though he&#39ll need to continue to clean up his actions. A move to third base isn&#39t out of the question if he continues to grow into his wiry frame.
  
  The Future: Muncy, who is not related to the Dodgers slugger of the same name despite sharing the same Aug. 25 birth date, is commended for his makeup and has a chance for above-average tools across the board, though he has a long way to go to get there.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Muncy’s path to Oakland was representative of the unusual nature of scouting during a pandemic. With their travel limited to essentially as far as they could drive, the Athletics saw plenty of the California native in the spring leading up to the 2021 draft, including during the state’s high school playoffs in June with the draft pushed back to July. They went slightly over slot to sign Muncy to a $2.85 million deal after selecting him No. 25 overall. He made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in early August.
  
  Scouting Report: Muncy stands out for his athleticism and high-energy style of play. He showed above-average hitting ability as an amateur and the A’s were impressed by the rotational acceleration in his swing. Muncy tinkered with his setup and swing early in his high school season, losing connectivity between his upper half and lower half that led to an uptick in strikeouts. He reverted back to his previous form by the end of the season, shortening his swing and allowing his strong hands and wrists to work in his favor. Defensively, Muncy is a solid-average defender at shortstop and the A’s believe he’ll stick there long-term, though he’ll need to continue to clean up his actions. A move to third base isn’t out of the question if he continues to grow into his wiry frame.
  
  The Future: Muncy, who is not related to the Dodgers slugger of the same name despite sharing the same Aug. 25 birth date, is commended for his makeup and has a chance for above-average tools across the board, though he has a long way to go to get there.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Thousand Oaks (Calif.) High has had a number of major leaguers come out of its program, including all-stars Kurt Stillwell and Jack Wilson. Wilson, the former Pirates shortstop, is now head coach at the school and helped Muncy grow into a top draft prospect. Muncy, who is not related to the Dodgers star of the same name, is a high-energy player with an athletic, strong body. He shows above-average hitting ability with a knack for driving the ball the other way and has the strong hands and wrists to project 20-plus home run potential. He studies opposing pitchers, has a mature approach and is rarely overmatched. Muncy tinkered with his stance and swing early this season and struggled, getting disconnected between his upper and lower halves and showing a long swing that was late to velocity, but he returned to his previous setup and swing at the end of the year and re-established himself as one of the top prep hitters in Southern California. He finished the regular season batting .452 with nine home runs while mostly facing good high school competition. Defensively, Muncy is an above-average runner with the instincts and footwork for shortstop, although he likely will have to move to third base if he gets bigger. He has the short-area quickness and above-average arm strength for the hot corner and enough athleticism to potentially play second base. Muncy's hitting ability, athleticism and potential defensive versatility put him in top-two rounds consideration. The A's took him No. 25 overall and signed him to a $2.85 million bonus, eschewing his Arkansas commitment.