As the Athletics try to sort out the second half of the 2026 season, one of their former first-rounders is taking a fresh path in Triple-A.
Max Muncy, who was sent down just a few weeks ago, has mostly been working on the infield since his return to the minors. In the majors, he has already logged time at second base, third base and shortstop. But the next chapter could come somewhere else entirely.
The A’s have had enough trouble on the mound that the staff has already been shaken up. Scott Emerson was dismissed as pitching coach, Dan Hubbs is now serving as interim pitching coach, and Javy Guerra from Midland has taken over as bullpen coach.
Muncy’s move is happening on the position-player side, though, and it may end up mattering just as much for the rest of the season. The club has plenty of infield options, and that crowded picture appears to be part of why he’s being looked at in the outfield. Zack Gelof has already made a successful transition out there, giving the A’s another example of a player finding a new lane.
There’s also a clear roster fit issue. Henry Bolte has struggled defensively in center field, Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom are handling the corners, and Carlos Cortes needs to stay in the lineup either in a corner outfield spot or at designated hitter because of his bat.
Muncy’s offense hasn’t really taken off in the big leagues this year, but the A’s still see the kind of bat that has shown promise over the last two seasons. The challenge now is finding more consistency in Triple-A.
If he gets another shot in the majors this season, it may come with a glove in the outfield rather than back on the dirt. And with the A’s dealing with so many injuries, that opportunity could open up quickly. His work as the starting left fielder in Triple-A could end up deciding whether that next call comes with a new position attached.
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