When the Yankees traded for Ryan McMahon from the Rockies ahead of the trade deadline, there were concerns about his consistency—even with the advantage of playing home games in Colorado. Now, it’s clear that these worries had merit.
McMahon started strong, hitting well in his first six games as a Yankee, including two doubles. However, his performance has noticeably declined in recent weeks.
Despite some impressive defensive plays at third base during a 7-2 win over the Red Sox, he ended up going hitless in his last 14 at-bats, racking up nine strikeouts.
As the Yankees faced the Red Sox in their series finale on Sunday, McMahon found himself with 53 plate appearances in just that stretch, of which 19 resulted in strikeouts.
I had hoped McMahon might capitalize on the short porch in Yankee Stadium, particularly in right field. He seemed to be pulling the ball more than ever, but couldn’t harness that initial success in his first 52 plate appearances here.
At least defensively, McMahon has performed at an elite level, meeting expectations in that area. Yet, the American League scouts who applauded the trade are now feeling let down as his performance hasn’t matched their hopes.
“That first week aligned with what I was expecting,” one scout said of his early performance at the plate.
McMahon didn’t shy away from discussing his struggles after Sunday’s game. “I’m just struggling and don’t feel good at the plate,” he admitted. “But as long as we win, I don’t really care what I’m doing.”
He felt the challenges in Colorado but looked forward to the excitement of playing in the Bronx. “That part was great,” he said. “They want to win badly here, and it’s definitely fun.”
He’s eager to contribute. “I’ve played this game a long time and I’ve faced tougher struggles than this,” McMahon reflected. “Sometimes you just need to roll with it and grind it out. That’s what I’m doing right now, which is why I have blisters on my hands. I’m going to turn this around.”
Coach James Rowson is working with him, emphasizing that they don’t want to overhaul his swing completely. “When I get a guy during the season, I want to make things simpler to help him feel more comfortable,” Rowson stated.
Rowson expressed admiration for McMahon’s attitude and noted some encouraging elements of his game. “I love his athleticism and how the ball jumps off his bat,” he remarked.
