Colorado Rockies News and Notes for Tuesday, June 25, 2024
When a team has a 27-51 record like the Colorado Rockies do, it can be easy to assume everything is just bad. This is a team “under construction,” as manager Bud Black put it, and when big renovations are going on, things are going to get messy.
However, some players have put together fine seasons. I’ve written about Brenton Doyle’s status as one of MLB’s best center fielders and Ezequiel Tovar becoming an elite shortstop, but it’s worth taking a minute to consider just how good Ryan McMahon has been this year.
McMahon knew he had to become more consistent this year. As general manager Bill Schmidt told Patrick Saunders at the Winter Meetings, “If you look, he’s an average player right now, and I’ve told him that. . . . He’s an above-average defender, which makes him the average player. He can be better. There are a lot of people who believe that.”
He has not shied away from the challenge, and the improvements are clear. His defense was never in question — look, he’s a three-time Gold Glove finalist. But his offense was always streaky, something he addressed during the offseason.
“I worked on a two-strike approach,” McMahon said back in April. “I worked on that in the spring, and I realized I can take that swing more often, that it doesn’t have to be on two strikes.” (Skyler Timmins has a more detailed analysis here.)
The change is paying dividends as McMahon is finding more offensive consistency.
However, it’s worth comparing his 2024 season to that of his fellow National League third basemen. (All numbers are current as of Monday morning, June 24, 2024.)
Okay, how do McMahon’s offensive numbers compare?
In terms of NL third basemen, McMahon ranks third according to fWAR. His 2.2 puts him behind Joey Ortiz (2.5) and Alex Bohm (2.3).
Still, McMahon’s 14 home runs far surpass those put up by Ortiz (6) and Bohm (8).
His 34 walks tie Ortiz’s 34, and only Christopher Morel has more with 35. McMahon has appeared in 76 games to Ortiz’s 69 and Bohm’s 75. (Morel has logged the most games with 77.)
He’s third in SLG (.484) and OBP (.356).
Add to that the fact that he’s hitting lefties (159 wRC+) better than righties (105 wRC+), and before anyone shouts, “COORS!”, McMahon has a 103 wRC+ in Colorado and 140 wRC+ on the road.
In short, he’s having an excellent offensive season.
Although speed on the base paths has never been McMahon’s calling card, and he’s only stolen one base, it was a biggie: He stole home.
He should absolutely get bonus points for that one. (This marked the first time a Rockie has stolen home since Dexter Fowler did so in 2011.)
“[Warren] Schaeffer pointed it out — it was basically all him,” McMahon said after the play. “I was just like, ‘Alright, well, two strikes it doesn’t seem like a bad time to go,’ so [Grandal] took his eyes off me, and I just broke and got lucky.”
He added, “I’m not the fastest guy — we all know that — so just get it done.”
Of the steal, Schaeffer said, “It takes guts for Mac to want to do it. That one’s on Mac.”
Character isn’t something FanGraphs measures, but Ryan McMahon has it.
The defense is still good, right?
Is this a serious question?
Yes, McMahon is still an elite defender.
His four DRS lead all NL third basemen. He has the highest UZR (3.7). (Austin Riley’s 3.2 is second.) McMahon is tied for second in Outs Above Average (2) and FRV (1).
Problematic are McMahon’s errors — eight — which makes him fourth. But this has happened over 172 attempts, which far surpasses Matt Chapman’s 145 attempts with 11 errors.
It’s not difficult to make a case that he is the best hot corner defender in the National League.
(Sorry, Nolan Arenado.)
So, is this happening?
There’s a good chance it is.
Every team gets to send at least one player to the All-Star Game, and there’s a strong possibility that McMahon will represent the Rockies (and wear one of those awful hats).
New All-Star Game hats just dropped.https://t.co/jVMecvlvdx pic.twitter.com/oCBTYZfi7k
— Purple Row (@PurpleRow) June 21, 2024
He’s earned it.
And, to be fair, Ezequiel Tovar has, too. The odds are good that “lol Rockies” will override voters when evaluating player skills, but the left side of the Rockies infield should be traveling to Arlington next month.
You may vote here.
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On the internet
Check out this analysis from Jerry Weinstein:
Rockies Hunter Goodman with adjustable swing covering in & out. The 1st swing was on a FB in that produced a 446’ HR & the 2nd was on a high 90’s 2 strike FB away that produced a laser LD hit 2 RF. Note the big upper half stretch at touch down. Adds to power profile. pic.twitter.com/UZKnFI3Zxv
— Jerry Weinstein (@JWonCATCHING) June 23, 2024
Just keep hitting homers, Hunter. (Read Evan Lang’s take on his improvement as well as that of Michael Toglia.)
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Who might Colorado GM Bill Schmidt deal at trade deadline? | Denver Post
As the trade deadline approaches, Patrick Saunders examines possible moves general manager Bill Schmidt might make at the trade deadline.
Strike 1: Rockies reconstruction needs to include tough trades | Mile High Sports
During this time of rebuilding, argues Mark Knudson, the Rockies need to make some tough choices. And they need to be active at the trade deadline, even if it means moving some favorite players.
The end of the 2016 Cubs is coming | FanGraphs
Dan Szymborski ponders what was in the Windy City — and, yes, Kris Bryant’s name comes up.
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