TAMPA — Ryan McMahon’s Impact on Defense
Regardless of his batting performance, Ryan McMahon’s influence at third base is notable. But the Yankees think there’s potential for him to improve offensively, a focus that started right after their playoff exit last fall, where he actually performed quite well at the plate.
After wrapping up a season with a career-high whiff rate of 35.2 percent, McMahon met with the Yankees’ hitting coaches for over an hour to pinpoint areas of improvement for the offseason. This marked his first opportunity with the team after being traded from the Rockies last summer.
The main objectives were to adjust his stance, bring his feet closer together, and utilize his hips more effectively while swinging.
“These are just things we’ve worked on before but seemed to overlook,” McMahon mentioned during a session at Steinbrenner Field. “They highlighted these points, and we practiced. It’s about maximizing my chances and being more consistent.”
Last season, McMahon’s stance averaged 42.7 inches between his feet, making it one of the widest in Major League Baseball. Interestingly, most of the top hitters with wide stances tended to be open in their positioning, while McMahon maintained a completely straight angle.
Hitting coach James Rowson isn’t ready to claim that McMahon’s broad stance led directly to high whiff rates, but he’s optimistic about what he’s witnessed this spring.
“He’s in a better position to consistently hit the ball,” Rowson shared. “There will always be fluctuations in a season based on how he feels. The stance width varies, but currently, he’s a bit narrower, which bodes well for hitting. I’m encouraged by what I see.”
McMahon’s batting presents a bit of a paradox. He demonstrated a strong eye at the plate last season with a walk rate of 11.9 percent (notably high), yet he also faced a striking-out rate of 32.3 percent, which is incredibly low in the league’s context.
Although he tends to swing at the right pitches, he often misses making contact. This has been a challenge for him.
Statcast noted that his contact rate on pitches in the strike zone was only 77.8 percent, ranking him among the lowest in this category.
McMahon reflected on this: “On tough days, it feels like you’re just missing the good pitches. When you’re in the zone, you connect. It’s about positioning yourself where those opportunities arise.”
When he does make contact, he hits the ball hard, comparable to the best hitters, regardless of the previous reputation of Rockies’ Coors Field.
His average ball velocity reached 93.3 mph, placing him 14th among eligible hitters in that regard.
However, despite his power, his OPS+ has lagged below the league average throughout his career—something that hasn’t translated into strong offensive numbers.
“My journey has seen many highs and lows,” stated McMahon, who is aiming for an All-Star appearance in 2024. “I’m just trying to stabilize my performance for consistency.”
The Yankees might consider using Amed Rosario at third against left-handed pitchers, allowing McMahon to focus on hitting righties. Nevertheless, relying on McMahon’s defense remains a priority, especially given his significant influence on the Yankees’ infield since his addition.
Manager Aaron Boone, a former third baseman, emphasized this importance: “That’s what makes him special. He’s naturally skilled at fielding grounders, moving with agility side to side. He excels at it.”
