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Max Muncy starting to heat up in Stockton

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 19: Oakland Athletics 2021 first round draft pick Max Muncy takes batting practice before the game between the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum on July 19, 2021 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 19: Oakland Athletics 2021 first round draft pick Max Muncy takes batting practice before the game between the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum on July 19, 2021 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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Max Muncy was supposed to be a key piece of the Oakland A’s rebuilding process. While the high school shortstop needed to grow and improve his strength, his athleticism and ability to do everything well should make him a productive player. There would be a learning curve, but he should still develop into the type of player that the A’s need.

Those hopes did not seem to be coming to fruition. Muncy had a disappointing debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2021 with just four hits and 12 strikeouts in his 34 plate appearances. He looked overmatched in that time, those concerns about his strength apparent.

Max Muncy starting to be what Oakland A’s hoped for

Muncy had also gotten off to a slow start in 2022. Although the A’s had to imagine that he would have growing pains with his promotion to Stockton, they also expected that he would begin to show signs of improvement. That had not been the case in the early part of the season.

But Muncy is starting to heat up. He recently had his first career four hit game and multi-homer game against the San Jose Giants as he is starting to assimilate to the professional ranks. His .231/.343/.467 batting line in 217 plate appearances entering Sunday with ten homers and 11 doubles is reason to hope that everything is starting to click for the A’s first round pick.

There are still concerns. Muncy has struck out 68 times already this season, although his 28 walks minimize some of those worries. He has also made 14 errors in just 45 games, a somewhat troublesome number despite having the skills and athleticism to handle the position.

The A’s will take their time with Muncy. He is just 19 years old and will likely move up the system step at a time, especially considering that he is young for his level. Muncy is going to have his struggles, but as long as he continues to show signs of progress, that will be enough for now.

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Max Muncy is starting to heat up for the Stockton Ports. After the slow start to his career, this is something that the Oakland A’s needed to see.