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Dodgers: Predicting Max Muncy and the rest of the 2018 Home Run Derby

By Jason Reed

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 12: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his helmet after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 12, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 12: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his helmet after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 12, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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Although Max Muncy did not make the All-Star Game via Final Vote, the breakout Dodgers star enters the 2018 Home Run Derby as the third-seeded participant.

The Los Angeles Dodgers do not have as much representation as the team had last year in the Midsummer Classic. This summer, the Dodgers are sending Kenley Jansen, Matt Kemp, Ross Stripling and manager Dave Roberts to Washington D.C. LA nearly had a fourth all-star in Max Muncy.

However, “Mad” Max Muncy was unable to win the Final Vote, the nod instead going to NL home run leader, Jesus Aguilar. Muncy is still going to have some fun, though, as he goes up against Aguilar and six other of the best home run hitters in baseball in the 2018 Home Run Derby.

With no Dodgers Beat the Streak to make today, Sarah and I decided to instead predict how far we think Muncy will go as well as the rest of the Derby.

Without further ado, let’s jump into our predictions, starting with Sarah.

Sarah’s Home Run Derby predictions:

I think Max Muncy is the guy a lot of people will underestimate in this year’s derby. Bryce Harper or Jesus Aguilar are the favorites to win, but Max Muncy has a lot of power, and Dodger fans are becoming more and more aware of it.

He’s the slugger that came out of nowhere and so making him my pick to win this year’s derby was easy. I did, however, pick Alex Bregman to make it to the finals. I went to an Astros game a few weeks ago, one in which Alex Bregman hit one of his 20 homers this season, and his swing is a force to be reckoned with.

Last year’s derby was won by Aaron Judge, something many of us saw coming. I think that this year’s winner is going to be someone more under-the-radar, like Max Muncy. Dodger fans know about his talent. Now, its time the rest of baseball sees it, too.

Jason’s Home Run Derby predictions:

  • ROUND 1: Rhys Hoskins over Jesus Aguilar, Freddie Freeman over Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber over Alex Bregman, Max Muncy over Javier Baez
  • ROUND 2: Kyle Schwarber over Rhys Hoskins, Freddie Freeman over Max Muncy
  • ROUND 3: Freddie Freeman over Kyle Schwarber

My bracket is vastly different from Sarah’s and is probably a lot different from most people’s. I have some underdog selections in my bracket, however, I genuinely think that my predictions will suit the Home Run Derby nicely.

Freddie Freeman has such a natural, smooth swing that during BP he is just going to obliterate baseballs left and right into the seats. Regardless of if it is him or Harper, though, it is hard for me to see Muncy getting past the second round.

Muncy is great, but Harper and Freeman are on an entirely different level, at least when it comes to home run hitting. Muncy is good at working counts and finding pitches he likes, I am just not sure if his swing translates to Derby success.

I also have Hoskins and Schwarber facing off in the second round, both of which are lower swings. Hoskins consistently hits the ball hard, which I think will give him the edge in the first round before defeating Schwarber in the second. I think Schwarber will have the best first round of anyone before gassing out in round two.

Next: Top 10 teams in Dodgers' history

Overall, this Derby class is very interesting as anyone can really win it. It may not be as entertaining as last year, but for the second straight year, Dodgers’ fans have someone to root for. Hopefully, Max Muncy can prove me wrong.

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