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Max Muncy almost matched his career home run total in the Derby

By Amy Kaplan

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers and National League competes in the first round during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers and National League competes in the first round during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Dodgers newcomer Max Muncy almost matched his career home run total in the Home Run Derby — and shut down Javier Báez in the process.

Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy just made one heck of a statement at his first Home Run Derby. Not only did he shut down Chicago Cubs Javier Báez with a whole 35 seconds left on the clock, but he tripled his career home run total from the 2015 and ’16 seasons in a matter of minutes.

Muncy hit a whopping 17 home runs in the first round of the derby when he was bracketed against Báez (who was given an additional 30 seconds). Báez hit 16 home runs, Muncy topped off (and stopped at 17).

He is currently tied with Philadelphia Phillies Rhys Hoskins for the most home runs in Round 1.

Prior to the Derby, Muncy had just 27 career home runs (22 of which were hit just this season). He joined the Dodgers on April 27, 2017, on a minor league contract. He didn’t make his first MLB appearance with the team until nearly a year later when he debuted on April 17, 2018.

Muncy set a franchise record when he hit his 20th home run for the team in his 183rd at-bat. Muncy briefly played for the Oakland Athletics before signing with the Dodgers

Muncy will now move on to the semi-finals where he will face hometown favorite Washington Nationals Bryce Harper.

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Philadelphia Phillies Rhys Hoskins will face Chicago Cubs Kyle Schwarber in the semi-finals; whoever wins will face the winner of Muncy and Harper in the finals.

Muncy was voted third on the MLB All-Star ballot but did not make the final team. Fellow teammate, Matt Kemp was voted onto the All-Star team along with Kenley Jansen and Ross Stripling.

No Dodger has ever won a Home Run Derby.

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