Charlie Saum is a major talent at and behind the plate

Thousand Oaks junior is a multitalented star like his Dodgers namesake

Loren Ledin | Ventura

First, the question on everyone's mind:

How often is Max Muncy — yep, the junior baseball standout at Thousand Oaks High — mixed up with the other guy?

About as often as you'd think.

"It happens a lot, especially on Twitter," Muncy says with a grin. "I'll get questions or messages, and I have to tell them you're thinking of the other one."

Social media adds to the confusion, where a single digit separates them on twitter. The Lancer goes by @Maxmuncy_8. The Los Angeles Dodgers' multitasker star utilizes @maxmuncy9.

So one's in The Show. The other's dream quest is to make it to The Show. The Lancers' 11th-grade stalwart has those kinds of skills.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder can play multiple positions, and will focus on shortstop/second base this season for Thousand Oaks. His quick bat garnered a .382 average a year ago with 29 hits, 28 runs scored, 19 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

The scouting service Perfect Game sums him up in glowing terms: "High level tools; bat speed stands out and can impact to all field; versatile and twitchy defender."

Muncy was such a touted youth player that he held several Division I collegiate offers by the time he was a high school sophomore. He has chosen the University of Arkansas.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSEPH COFFARO

Among Muncy's most endearing traits is that he doesn't focus on reputation or scouting reports or the fans' expectations. He just plays baseball.

"It's cool that people notice you, but all I do is play as hard as I can," he said. "That's what I'm concerned about. I'd like to go 4 for 4 every day, but I can't. If I'm 0 for 4 that day, I want to be the best player in the field or the best teammate on the bench."

Muncy stands out in a county chockful of elite players and he's plays for a team considered a serious CIF-Southern Section championship contender.

Thousand Oaks, with alum and former major league star Jack Wilson in his fourth season as the head coach, is ranked No. 1 at the top of the season in CIF-SS Division 2. The Lancers are off to a 3-0 start in the Easton Tournament, including a 6-1 victory over El Camino on Thursday.

"We've got a chance to be very good this season," said Muncy. "We've got lots of guys capable of carrying a team. Really, it's one game at a time for us. We're not looking ahead to league or the playoffs. We're just focused on the next game we play."

As a junior, Muncy is set to expand his role with the Lancers. He's ready to become a leader.

"I want to set an example for my teammates and the younger guys," he said. "It's important for me to be the best teammate I can."

Muncy may sport the ideal baseball mentality. He's steady, even-keeled and as well-grounded as a lawn with Bermuda grass.

"Baseball's a game where you can't focus on an at-bat or a game that's over," he said. "Wipe it off, learn from it and be ready for what's next. You can't focus on the past."

Muncy was the rare player who joined the varsity squad as a freshman. Among his welcoming moments was a matchup with arch rival Newbury Park and plate appearances against Panthers ace Carson Lambert.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSEPH COFFARO

"It was a little scary playing as a freshman," Muncy said with a grin. "You think you're ready and you face someone like Lambert. I'm thinking, 'Hmm, he throws pretty hard.' "

Muncy is a Camarillo resident who chose to attend Thousand Oaks for both the school and baseball program. He'd never met Wilson until he enrolled as a Lancer.

"I knew about him," said Muncy. "He seemed like the kind of coach I wanted to play for and learn from. He's already taught me so much."

Did we mention that Muncy is as much driven as he is calmly focused? His top individual goal this year or next is to surpass a couple of longtime program records held by the head coach.

Muncy has written the numbers under the bill of his baseball cap, which he wears every day to practice or game. The .550 stands for Wilson's batting average as a Lancers' senior. The 42 represents the number of hits Wilson compiled in a season.

"Something I want to shoot for," said Muncy.

The player certainly boasts the energy and ambition to continue his climb up the baseball ladder.

His baseball schedule last summer was filled to the max with travel and games — just like that other Max Muncy.

"There was one time I took a red-eye flight, which I'd never done before, to get to Georgia for a tournament," he said. "We'd play games that day, then it was off to another tournament. I thought this must be what's it like to play in the majors."

TOP OF THE PACK

Thousand Oaks is No. 1 in Division 2 and the Marmonte League favorite out of the gate with such talent as Muncy, pitcher/outfielder Scott Ellis, catcher Charlie Saum and multi-faceted Roc Riggio.

Newbury Park is ranked No. 2 in CIF-SS Division 3, and looms as a top challenger in the loaded Marmonte League.

Max Flame, a hard-throwing senior pitcher, leads a talented cast that include senior shortstop and North Carolina State commit Carson Falsken, outfielder Wesley De La Torre and catcher Connor Whitcomb.

Oxnard seems poised to reclaim the Pacific View League title and contend for a Southern Section crown. The Yellowjackets are ranked No. 6 in CIF-SS Division 4.

R.J. Aranda is among the region's best pitchers and Michael Duenas made his varsity debut with five shutout innings.

The offense seems capable of putting up runs behind Alex Aranda, Dominic Herrera and Isaiah Gonzalez.

Grace Brethren is just four seasons removed from playing in the Division 4 championship game, and could be poised for a repeat appearance.

The Lancers are ranked No. 1 in Division 4 and boast a sterling 1-2 pitching punch with Carson Ohl and Josh Swales. Catcher J.J. Frazier and Andrew Sutherland lead a potent offense.

BEST LEAGUE RACES

The uber-difficult Marmonte League is always a free-for-all. Westlake will be in the race behind senior shortstop/pitcher C.K. Kleinman, pitcher/first baseman Michael Stanford and pitcher/third baseman Matt Cahalan.

Oaks Christian could be a top dog behind freshman Finley Buckner, pitcher/outfielder Conner Kerhaw and senior outfielder Joey Quarararo.

Who wins the Coastal Canyon League? Who knows?

It's that competitive.

Camarillo, as usual, is the hunt behind junior pitcher Brian Uribe and senior pitcher Lucien Wechsberg. Uribe was an impact pitcher as a freshman, but battled through injuries a year ago. He's back.

The offense will include, among other, outfielder Jonathan Wolfrey and catcher Jack Rosgen.

Simi Valley graduated two star arms in Andrew Devine and Justin Campbell, but the cupboard is never bare with the Pioneers.

Catcher Sebastien Sarabia, pitcher Steven Apperson and infielder Vincent Cicolello lead a talented roster.

Moorpark's another program with tradition. Outfielder Nicholas Mattera and pitcher Jake Thrift are among the top Musketeers.

Agoura's always a threat for a league crown. Aeden Cunningham will be one of the county's top players.

Oxnard's challengers in the Pacific View League include four-time defending champion Rio Mesa and Buena.

The Bulldogs are off to a solid start at 2-1 behind Braydon Kimble and Jacob Martinez.

Rio Mesa's young group from a year ago is now much matured. Pitcher Jarrett Hiji and shortstop Jesse Rodriguez lead the Spartans.