Dodgers News: MLB Writer Pegs Max Muncy as NL All-Star Third Baseman Through April

He's definitely deserving right now.

Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is off to a torrid start this season. After struggling for the first week or so of the season, Muncy has taken off, hitting 10 home runs and 19 RBIs in a 13-game span. He's now on paternity leave, but that still hasn't taken his crown away of being the MLB's top home run hitter.

Muncy is coming off a week in which he won the NL Player of the Week Award, after hitting five home runs, seven RBIs and sported an insane OPS of 1.815.

He's now up to slashing .254/.411/.718 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs on the year. His OPS on the season is 1.129, good for second-best in all of baseball.

These insane numbers are a big reason why David Schoenfield of ESPN picked Muncy as his early-season All-Star among NL third baseman — and that's a loaded group. Here's what he had to say:

"Muncy hit .121 his first nine games and given his .196 average last season, Dodgers fans were wondering if he was finished. Then he hit 10 home runs and drove in 19 runs in his next 13 games before heading out on paternity leave. With Manny Machado off to a terrible start and Austin Riley and Nolan Arenado below their usual high standards, Muncy is the leader in what should end up as a crowded All-Star debate."

If Muncy is able to secure that All-Star spot in a National League that features the likes of Manny Machado, Nolan Arenado and Austin Riley at third base, it would be pretty impressive. But at this point in the year, he has to be considered the favorite.

He's been mashing the ball as of late, and was the hottest hitter in baseball before heading to paternity leave. Add the fact that he's about to be playing with extra dad strength, and we may be in for a historic start to the season.

Muncy has been an All-Star once in his career in 2021, before having a down year last season. Many fans were worried about him to start the season but, clearly, those fears have been cleared up. Muncy seems to be fully back to his old self, and that could get him back in the All-Star game this season.