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MLB: Three players that deserve more recognition

By David Hill

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers jogs home, after his second homerun of the game, to take a 5-1 lead over the San Francisco Giants, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The 2020 regular season has been shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers jogs home, after his second homerun of the game, to take a 5-1 lead over the San Francisco Giants, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The 2020 regular season has been shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Max Muncy

Since the start of the 2018 season, Max Muncy ranks 15th in MLB in fWAR, ahead of the likes of Manny Machado and Jose Altuve. However, he does not get anything close to that level of recognition.

Perhaps it is due to the team he plays on. The Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded with talent, to the point where Muncy’s 10.4 fWAR is third on the roster amongst players in the lineup. Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger outpace Muncy, although he does not get the recognition of those two players.

Muncy, like Merrifield, did not get much of a chance at the major league level until he was 27 years old. He had been a part of the A’s organization, showing a bit of pop and strong plate discipline, but was unable to get results in Oakland. However, since joining the Dodgers, he has posted a .255/.381/.544 batting line with 41 doubles and 73 homers in just over two seasons.

The issues with Muncy getting the recognition he deserves from MLB fans are twofold. First, he is overshadowed by Betts, Bellinger, and Clayton Kershaw. Second, in playing for the Dodgers, the majority of his games start at 10:00 PM EST. That east coast bias is a factor.

Based on the metrics, Max Muncy is a star. It is difficult to realize that given how overshadowed he is around MLB, and even on his team.

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