Among the group of players representing the Athletics in the Arizona Fall League, Max Muncy is not like the others.
Whereas most AFL participants are prospects still trying to work their way up to the highest level, Muncy already got his first taste of it. He was the Opening Day second baseman for the A’s in 2025 and graduated from prospect status to big league contributor, flashing some of the tools that made him a first-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Thousand Oaks High School in California.
Just as Muncy appeared to be settling in over what was his second stint with the A’s after he was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the year, one pitch dramatically altered his season. During a game against the Rangers on July 21, Muncy was struck by a fastball from Jack Leiter, resulting in a right hand fracture that kept him out for the next two months before finally returning to the A’s in late September for just a handful of at-bats.
Looking to make up for that valuable lost development time, the A’s sent Muncy to the AFL for some extra reps. He wasted no time getting back into the swing of things down in Arizona, slugging a solo home run as part of a 2-for-4 effort with a walk in his first game for the Mesa Solar Sox on Tuesday.
“I definitely feel it's good to be back,” Muncy said. “It's always bittersweet coming back from injury. ... I'm glad I got to be out here today playing.”
This is somewhat of a nostalgia trip for Muncy. Before reaching The Show, he played for the Solar Sox following a breakout 2023 campaign in the Minors, smashing four homers in 22 AFL games that Fall.
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“It's a great experience,” Muncy said. “It's definitely a developmental place, so it's nice to be back here, get some at-bats, meet the new guys, and kind of see what they're about. I think it's fun to do that.”
Muncy, 23, might be ahead of them in terms of experience, but he’s not necessarily down there looking to impart sage wisdom just because he’s been there before.
“These guys are good enough,” Muncy said. “They don't need any advice from me. ... They got drafted for a reason, and they play pro ball, so I think they're fine, you know? If they reach out, I'll definitely give them whatever I can. But these guys, these guys are good players.”
Had Muncy not been injured for most of the second half, he would have had a chance to solidify himself as a regular member of the A’s infield. Instead, Muncy was limited to 63 games in the Majors, batting .214 with a .638 OPS, nine homers and seven doubles in 220 plate appearances.
Now, the main objective for Muncy is to get his work in while down in Arizona, where he’ll return in February for the start of Spring Training. He’ll engage in what will likely be a highly competitive battle for expected openings at second base and third base along with players such as Darell Hernaiz, Zack Gelof and Brett Harris.
“Just get ready for next year,” Muncy said. “That's the biggest thing. Missing time requires missing at-bats. So, I think getting more at-bats, I’ll hopefully come to Spring Training ready to have a good year.”