Ryan McMahon remembers attending his first large league camp in 2016 as a member of the Rockies and taking group infield follow. Extra importantly, he remembers what he noticed when the session ended.
As McMahon and different hungry, younger gamers and a few veterans walked off the sphere, DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado, two of Colorado’s finest gamers and defenders, remained. The 2 already owned 4 Gold Glove Awards between them at that time, but they saved taking floor balls after others stopped.
“I just learned how to work from those guys,” McMahon stated, including that Trevor Story additionally had a huge effect on his protection in Colorado. “When you have those three guys and you’re 20 years old in your first big league camp, you’re going to learn a lot if you just shut up and watch and pay attention.”
It’s humorous that McMahon, the Yankees’ new third baseman after being traded by the Rockies on Friday, talked about LeMahieu and Arenado.
LeMahieu spent seven years with the Rockies earlier than signing two offers with the Yankees. His seven-season tenure within the Bronx got here to an unceremonious finish earlier this month, because the Yankees designated LeMahieu for task after quite a few accidents robbed the four-time Gold-Glover of his defensive prowess.
The choice prevented a reunion with McMahon, whose large league profession overlapped with LeMahieu in Colorado in 2017 and 2018. It was LeMahieu’s work ethic that impressed McMahon to “get after it” defensively, he stated.
“He just kind of leaves that professional impact on other guys. Total pro, just somebody that’s really easy to look up to,” McMahon stated. “His actions spoke a lot louder than his words, but they spoke loudly.”
McMahon particularly famous LeMahieu’s willingness to play wherever in his prime.
Second base was at all times LeMahieu’s finest place – his missing vary there turned untenable in his last days with the Yankees – however he additionally performed third, quick and first in Colorado. Then he roamed between first, second and third in pinstripes.
As an up-and-coming participant, McMahon stated LeMahieu’s dedication to versatility despatched a message.
“That’s something you should definitely be locked in on and realizing,” stated McMahon, who frolicked at first, second, quick and third early on. “Like, ‘Hey man, this guy is established. He’s been an All-Star, done all this, and he’s willing to do this. You should be willing, too.’”
McMahon doesn’t hold in common contact with LeMahieu lately, however he hopes to select his mind about taking part in in New York within the coming days. Charlie Blackmon, one other former Rockies teammate, advisable that McMahon attain out.
Arenado, in the meantime, performed in Colorado from 2013-2020 earlier than getting traded to the Cardinals. Extra just lately – particularly this previous offseason and spring – commerce rumors pegged Arenado as a match for the Yankees, however no such deal ever materialized for the 10-time Gold Glove winner.
As an alternative, the Bombers ended up with a 3rd baseman who studied below Arenado.
“I learned a lot from Nolan,” McMahon stated. “That guy worked his tail off every single day.”
McMahon talked about that he started fielding every thing with one hand after seeing Arenado do the identical. He had just a few error-filled seasons within the minors, however the change helped him blossom into certainly one of baseball’s finest defensive third baseman.
Since 2021, McMahon is second amongst all third baseman in Defensive Runs Saved (54), third in Outs Above Common (42) and third in Fielding Run Worth (32). Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes – additionally linked to the Yankees earlier than the McMahon commerce – ranks first in all three classes, whereas Arenado, ranks fourth, second and second, respectively.
The Yankees have already benefited from McMahon’s protection over his first two video games, as he made a diving cease and a powerful throw in his workforce debut on Saturday, robbing the Phillies’ Otto Kemp of additional bases in a loss. In Sunday’s win, he added a leaping catch on a delicate Bryce Harper lineout earlier than sliding to his knees for a Trea Turner grounder and throwing out the speedy runner.
“I just got confidence to go out there, attack the zone, and hopefully they hit the ball at him, because it seems like he’s gonna catch it every time,” Carlos Rodón stated after McMahon helped him get a win on Sunday. “It’s good to have.
“He’s already been tremendous.”
Oh in order that’s Ryan McMahon protection pic.twitter.com/9ZCq9Xq5OC
Boone, in the meantime, stated that “there’s an ease with which he plays the position.”
The supervisor then recalled being impressed with McMahon when the Yankees visited Coors Area in Might, a lot in order that he needed to inform his bench coach, Brad Ausmus.
“He made a play, and I think I turned to Brad and I said, ‘That’s what third base is supposed to look like right there,’” Boone stated. “There’s that real athleticism. He moves really well through the ball. He’s explosive. He’s got a good arm, and there’s a real good clock, but also a calmness that he plays the position with. It shows when you watch him for a couple days.”
That it has, as McMahon has been as marketed and making a powerful first impression over his first few video games together with his new workforce.
He has just a few ex-Rockies — and one former Yankee ” to thank for that, as they taught him the significance of glovework earlier than he reached the majors.
“Defense is a mental choice,” McMahon stated. “You gotta be ready every pitch. I think it’s a commitment. I think it’s how you show your team you care.”
