What made A's pick another Max Muncy once again in MLB draft

Share

Over the past year-plus, it has been easy to forget what day it is. On Sunday, the Athletics made us all forget what year it is when they selected Max Muncy with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. 

"We were joking we only take Max Muncys that are born on the same day," A's director of scouting Eric Kubota said Sunday night. 

There certainly was a sense of déjà vu when MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called Muncy's name with the A's on the clock. Just nine years ago, the A's took a different Max Muncy in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. They then watched him now turn into a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers after Oakland released the elder Muncy in 2017.

And yes, they really do share the same birthday -- Aug. 25 to be exact. 

But the Thousand Oaks High School shortstop is more than a name. Much more. 

"Aside from the name, we really like the player too," Kubota said. 

Muncy learned from 12-year MLB veteran Jack Wilson, who was an All-Star shortstop and now serves as Thousand Oaks' manager. With Wilson as his guiding hand, Muncy already is a polished prospect for such a young player. The A's believe there's much more in the tank as well. 

The 18-year-old is listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds. He has strong wrists and some natural power already. As he grows, that of course should only improve over time. 

Kubota made it clear the A's have been on Muncy for quite some time and scouted him extensively in Southern California. 

"We just think there's a ton of upside to his game," Kubota said.

The A's already have seen Muncy perform on a big league field. They hosted him for a workout in Oakland, and Kubota said the right-handed hitter was able to knock the ball out of the yard with ease. His power is far from the only tool that stood out to the A's. 

"I would say it's a combination of tools, actually," Kubota said. "He is an above-average runner, an above-average thrower and he's got power. It's probably the totality of those tools."

RELATED: A's top draft pick Muncy's game is more than his famous name

Kubota did offer a pro comparison for Muncy when asked. No, it's not the obvious one. 

"He reminds us a lot of Dansby Swanson," Kubota said. 

Swanson was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft. The Dodgers' Muncy is starting at DH in the All-Star Game this year. If the A's top pick winds up being close to either player, they'll be more than happy with their choice.

Contact Us