Eric Munson

Eric Walter Munson

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 220 lb.
• School University of Southern California
• High School Mt. Carmel High School
• Debut July 18, 2000
• Final Game September 21, 2009
• Born October 3, 1977 in San Diego, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Eric Munson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft from Mount Carmel High School in San Diego, CA, but opted to attend the University of Southern California instead. He had a very successful career at USC and helped the team to win the 1998 College World Series. Pitching dominated the championship game as the Trojans beat the Arizona State University Sun Devils 21-14.

During his collegiate career Munson also gained some international experience. He batted .353/.463/.599 for the USA in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup. He scored 8 runs and drove in 10 in 9 games and finished 5th in the event in RBI. He was 1 for 6 with a RBI and a double as the cleanup man for the US in the Bronze Medal game loss to the Australian national team. Munson failed to make the All-Tournament team as Orestes Kindelan was chosen at first base.

He hit just .130/.231/.391 as a 1B/DH for Team USA in the 1998 Baseball World Cup; he had been counted on to be one of the top hitters.

After his junior season he was the third overall pick of the 1999 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers. The first two selections in that draft were Pat Burrell and Josh Beckett. Munson rose quickly to the major leagues and played at that level from 2000-2009. He was a catcher at USC, but played more games at third base in the majors. Bothered by chronic back injuries, his big league career was a disappointment as he batted just .214 in 9 seasons, and only played over 100 games once, in 2004 (he also had 99 games in 2003). He showed good power those two years, with 18 and 19 homers, but he brought little else to the table. In 6 of his 9 seasons, he batted below .200. Munson returned to the minor leagues in 2010 to finish his playing career.

Munson started his next career by returning to USC as an undergraduate assistant coach for the 2012 season while also finishing his undergraduate degree. He then moved to his wife's hometown of Dubuque, IA and worked as an assistant coach at the University of Dubuque from 2013 through at least the 2015 season. While coaching the Spartans he founded the Gold Standard Athletics training facility in 2013 which he still operates to the present day.

Through the years various professional teams approached Munson about coaching for them, but he turned down their offers for family reasons. However, when the Pittsburgh Pirates approached him he decided it was the right time to take on a new challenge. Munson became the hitting coach for the Indianapolis Indians in 2022-2024.

Munson's cousin, Matt Munson, pitched for the USC Trojans from 2011-2013.

Related Sites

• UD Asst. Coach Munson Named to USA National Team Staff