Can Max Muncy Improve Defensively This Season? Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Thinks So

If he could just be average that would be huge.

Max Muncy might have been the most divisive Dodger in 2023. He did not hit for average (.212), but still hit 36 home runs and took plenty of walks (85) to first base. 

On top of that, he did not grade out well defensively at third base.

This year, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes that Muncy can take a step forward defensively. He says that Muncy showed up to spring training in great shape and has been exciting his fellow infielders.

Dave Roberts says no one was more frustrated with Max Muncy’s defensive issues last year than Max, himself.

But he said he’s in great shape and the infielders have been raving about him and he believes Muncy can be an above average third baseman this year.

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) February 20, 2024

Last year, Muncy graded out in the 14th percentile in fielding run value and just the fourth percentile in outs-above-average, according to Statcast. Even an improvement to a league-average defender would make a significant difference in his defensive production.

If there's one player to count on to do this though, it's Muncy. When Muncy signed with the Dodgers in 2018, he graded out almost identically by the same metrics at first base — 13th percentile in fielding run value and fourth percentile in outs-above-average. 

By 2021, Muncy had turned himself into one of the best defensive first basemen in all of baseball and a finalist for the Gold Glove Award that year, finishing alongside Freddie Freeman and eventual winner Paul Goldschmidt.

Now, these positions require different skill sets and physical requirements. For one, third basemen have to throw the ball across the diamond a lot more. Sometimes, those throws can come after needing to make a diving play to save the ball from going down the line. Doing all of this accurately and on time requires proper footwork and practice.

So, will Muncy become an elite gloveman at the hot corner at 33 years old? Unlikely. He has shown the drive and work ethic necessary, though, to improve upon his game in meaningful ways.