Dodgers: Max Muncy to Participate in the Home Run Derby

If you’re an old school baseball purist, then the news of Max Muncy’s interest in the home run derby probably will not tickle your fancy. But Dodgers fans all over sure are excited to see Mad Max take some hacks in Washington DC at the All-Star break.

Max Muncy said on the radio that he will be in the Home Run Derby, and by golly I believe him

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— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 9, 2018

There are plenty of people who believe that the home run derby has a tendency to ruin a player’s swing, and there may be some truth to that. But how could you keep this guy out? The guy who hit a combined five home runs over his first 96 games in two years with Oakland now could be the home run champion. He has already slugged twenty long balls through his first 67 games of the 2018 season.

Muncy came almost out of nowhere for the Dodgers, being called up as the result of a myriad of injuries. Now, he ranks near the top of the National League in almost every offensive category. His 407 on base percentage puts him 2nd in the NL. Muncy’s slugging percentage of 610 also ranks 2nd in the NL. And his otherworldly OPS of 1.017 puts him first in all of baseball. Ahead of Trout, ahead of Arenado, ahead of everyone.

Outlook

And now the final vote is still on to get Muncy to the All Star game in our nation’s capital. He is certainly more than deserving of the nod. But it should be fun to see him participate in the derby, regardless of how much of a baseball purists you may be.

The Dodgers have had a few good years of participants in the derby. Cody Bellinger got his shot last season, and made it through to face Aaron Judge who eventually won the whole thing. Corey Seager went in 2016, though he lost in the first round despite hitting 15 home runs.   Joc Pederson went in 2015 and slugged his way to the finals before falling to Todd Frazier. Pederson defeated Manny Machado and Albert Pujols to get there.

It is worth noting, however, that the Dodgers have never had a player win the derby.

Enter Mad Max Muncy.