Los Angeles Dodgers: Predicting top five home run leaders
By Jason Reed
3. Max Muncy — 28 home runs
You should not expect a huge regression out of Max Muncy in 2019, although you will see some sort of regression as he will hit fewer than 30 home runs. Muncy will finish with the third-most home runs on the Los Angeles Dodgers, narrowly edging out A.J. Pollock and slugging 28 long bombs.
I understand that it is easy to expect regression out of left-handed power hitters, especially after a year that was out of left field and nobody really expected. Cody Bellinger regressed and he is a left-handed power hitter. Chris Taylor regressed after his massive breakout year.
I usually fall on the fence of expecting a regression but I honestly cannot see Muncy falling far off from the wagon that he drove in 2018. He has arguably the best offensive approach for anyone on the team not named Justin Turner and showed the ability to hit to all fields.
His numbers against southpaws could be an issue but Muncy is going to be put in positions to succeed and will still see plenty of action against right-handed pitching.
Muncy is just too patient and smart at the plate for 2018 to be a fluke year. So while he won’t be the 35 home run-hitter that he was in 2018, he will be more than effective for the Dodgers in 2019.