Latter-day Saint baseball player Max Muncy is following his road to 'The Show'
MESA, Ariz. – For Max Muncy, this spring could be the turning point in his career. The 22-year-old shortstop has been grinding in the minors for the past few seasons, but now, he’s knocking on the door of the big leagues with the Athletics.
A native of Camarillo, California, Muncy has no direct ties to BYU, but he is one of several active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints playing in professional baseball.
Baseball beginnings
Muncy committed to the University of Arkansas out of high school but he did have BYU in his top three schools.
“It was Arkansas, BYU and Vanderbilt,” said Muncy. “Going to the SEC was the exciting factor for me. I felt like it was the right move, baseball-wise.”
However, Muncy did not end up going to Arkansas, as he was drafted by the Athletics with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Since then, Muncy has been playing in the minor leagues, working on his game and getting better as a player.
“I remember just talking to my parents, it was a pretty quick decision,” said Muncy. “Once they gave me the offer I was like ‘yeah, I'm gonna go do that.”
As is the case for many young shortstops, Muncy’s favorite player growing up was Derek Jeter but he says he models his game after San Diego Padres’ third baseman Manny Machado.
“My favorite player was Jeter,” Muncy said. “For modeling my game, I'd probably say Machado, more like that. Me and Jeter aren’t similar players but that's why I enjoyed watching him. Him and Chipper (Jones), and I love Josh Hamilton.”
Minor league grind
Muncy spent all of last season with the Athletics Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators. In 50 games with the club, he slashed a .278/ .491/ .866. line. Muncy hit eight home runs and drove in 33 RBIs.
The Athletics will be playing in Sacramento for the next couple of seasons before they relocate to Las Vegas in 2028 and play in a brand new ballpark.
Muncy has enjoyed playing in Las Vegas and he is looking forward to it becoming the A’s new home.
“I think it's cool, especially because my family is in St George,” said Muncy. “An hour-30, hour-45 trip for them, it's gonna be nice. I'm excited, the stadium is going to be sick.”
Big league dreams
Muncy has been grinding and working on his game throughout spring training so he can be ready for the day that he gets the call-up to the big leagues.
“Just to help the team out any way I can,” Muncy said. “I want to be in the big leagues. I’m getting as close as I've ever gotten to my life goal. Being prepared is the best thing I can do. I just want to be putting in the work where I'm prepared at any moment, if it happens, like I know that I've done everything I can.”
“Max needs to stay healthy,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “All the tools are there but I think getting a season under his belt of 450, 500 at bats would lead to his development being accelerated. There’s an opportunity for Max here to have that type of year with the guys that we have in front of him but he can also earn an opportunity to get to the big leagues through the performance side of it as well.”
Muncy is not the only Latter-Day Saint in the Athletics organization. Former BYU pitcher Justin Sterner is trying to crack the Opening Day roster after making his Major League debut for the Tampa Bay Rays last season.
“I think it is the first member I’ve had on my same team and same organization,” said Justin Sterner. “He’s a good teammate, funny guy, great clubhouse guy.”
Muncy’s journey to the big leagues has been years in the making, filled with challenges, adjustments and relentless dedication.
As he enters a pivotal season, he knows that every at-bat, every play, and every moment on the field brings him closer to realizing his dream. Whether that call comes on Opening Day or later in the season, one thing is certain — Max Muncy is ready to seize his moment.