Touted Oakland A’s prospect Max Muncy settling in as a pro and giving Lansing Lugnuts early boost

There was plenty of uncertainty last year for Max Muncy as he navigated his first full season playing professionally.

Even as his talent and potential made him a first-round draft pick out of Thousand Oaks High School in California and one of the top Oakland Athletics prospects, the shortstop still wasn’t sure what he was getting into or the type of player he actually was.

Muncy is starting to figure that out now.

And the 20-year old shortstop is settling in as he embarks on his second full season as a pro.

Muncy’s hot start has played a part in a strong early showing for the Lansing Lugnuts, who improved to 4-0 with a 5-2 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps in their home opener Tuesday.

Lugnuts’ Max Muncy steals second base against the Whitecaps in the fifth inning on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Jackson Field in Lansing.

Muncy reached base twice, which included a two-run single and stole a base and scored a run.

“I feel a lot more settled this year and am kind of understanding this is how the season goes,” said Muncy, who is rated Oakland’s No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline. “(I know) I’ve got to take care of my body through this many games. I kind of have an idea of how many games I’m going to play a week, a month. I think there definitely is a calmness in knowing.”

Muncy, who entered the series against West Michigan as the leading hitter in the Midwest League, has reached safely in all four games for the Lugnuts. Through Tuesday’s games, Muncy is batting .438 (7-for-16) with two walks, four RBIs and two runs scored.

Lugnuts’ Max Muncy throws a Whitecaps batter out a first base in the ninth inning on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Jackson Field in Lansing.

“Max from last year to this year thus far — he’s improved in a lot of areas,” first-year Lugnuts manager Craig Conklin said. “He’s shored up his defense and his approach has also gotten better. Last year he was kind of more of a free swinger and this year he’s kind of honed in his strike zone a little bit more.”

Muncy, who was selected with the No. 25 pick in the 2021 MLB draft, got a taste of High-A ball and the Midwest League to close last season. He is building on that experience with his fast start.

“I feel like that’s helped me a lot,” Muncy said. “I think it was just a maturity thing for me and just making bad decisions at the plate last year. I took that into the offseason, obviously, and trying to get better. It feels like I’m a little bit more patient this year. I think that’s the biggest thing is being patient and understanding your mistakes a little more.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Max Muncy playing big role in hot start for Lansing Lugnuts