Ryan McMahon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #2 prospect in 2018
  A third baseman in high school, McMahon added first base to his resume in 2016 and began playing second base in 2017. After a down year offensively in 2016 he rebounded in 2017, batting a combined .355 between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his major league debut on Aug. 12. McMahon possesses soft hands and a strong arm, but his reaction time was a concern at third base. He handled the move to first base well and, while physically large for second base, impressed the Rockies with how he adapted to the position, although opposing scouts are less convinced. Offensively, McMahon has a consistent, short stroke and uses the whole field. He sits fastball and takes advantage of mistakes, with the strength to produce above-average power in Coors Field. Strikeouts were an issue in the past, but McMahon significantly improved his approach and plate discipline and struck out just 97 times in 2017, compared to an average of 153 strikeouts his first three seasons. McMahon's positional versatility gives the Rockies options. Wherever he plays, the Rockies envision his bat making a significant everyday contribution.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #9 prospect in 2017
  Lured away from a scholarship to Southern California for $1,327,600 as a 2013 second-round pick, McMahon moved off third base and began working at first base in 2016 at Double-A Hartford. It's part of an organizational play to create multiple options for prospects so they don't get blocked at the big league level. A quarterback in high school, McMahon handled the new position well. McMahon struggled offensively for the first time in his life in 2016, which isn't all bad. A competitor, he did show life in the second half, even as Hartford endured a season-long road trip due to construction issues that kept the team from ever playing a true home game. McMahon will have to adjust at the plate and drive the ball the opposite way, but he does have a bit of a hook in his swing, which makes him susceptible to quality fastballs. He still has average to above-average power. A strong athlete though a below-average runner, he has soft hands and improved footwork at first base. He made 17 errors in 67 games at third. The expectations remain high for McMahon, who dealt with Double-A struggles similar to those experienced by shortstop Trevor Story. McMahon likely will return to Hartford to open 2017, but the Rockies won't hesitate promoting him to Triple-A Albuquerque quickly if he responds.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #5 prospect in 2016
  McMahon hasn't stopped hitting since the Rockies drafted him out of Mater Dei High in the second round in 2012, when they signed the Southern California commit away from the Trojans for $1,327,600. He has hit double-digit home runs in each of his three pro seasons, including 18 in back-to-back years. As a 20-year-old at high Class A Modesto in 2015, he ranked first in the California League with 43 doubles and fourth with an .892 OPS, but he also made a league-high 39 errors at third base. McMahon has impressive lefthanded power, especially to his pull side, and he projects as a middle-of-the-order threat. He does have some hook in his swing and can be susceptible to inside fastballs, leading to high strikeout totals. But he's shown good feel for the strike zone and the aptitude to make adjustments at the plate, taking the ball the other way when he needs to. A quarterback in high school, McMahon brings athleticism and leadership qualities to the infield. He has soft hands and a plus arm but needs to clean up his footwork to improve his throwing accuracy. The Rockies had McMahon put in extensive work on his defense in instructional league. Even if he eventually moves off of third, his below-average speed is adequate for the outfield. After a strong 2015 season, McMahon probably will head to Double-A Hartford in 2016. His advanced power and approach at a young age give him a tremendously high ceiling.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #5 prospect in 2015
  McMahon was a quarterback at perennial California power Mater Dei High but signed with the Rockies for $1,327,600 instead of following through on his commitment to play baseball at Southern California. After ranking second in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in slugging (.583) in 2013, he moved up to low Class A Asheville and tied teammate Correlle Prime for the South Atlantic League lead in RBIs (102) and finished second in OPS (.860) and doubles (46) and tied for second in runs (93). McMahon has a loose, easy lefthanded swing and impressive power to all fields, particularly his pull side, for such a young hitter. He also has a chance to hit for average once his pitch recognition and plate discipline improve and he becomes a more mature, patient hitter. McMahon has a plus arm, soft hands and should develop plus range because he's an instinctual player. He makes the difficult reaction plays at third base and will make the more routine plays that have given him trouble once he gets his feet in synch with his arm. McMahon has a good feel for the game and, drawing on his days as a quarterback, has proven to be a leader on the field despite playing with older players. He will play at high Class A Modesto in 2015 and profiles as an impact middle-of-the-order run producer in the majors.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #8 prospect in 2014
  The Rockies have a history of drafting and signing quarterbacks, including Todd Helton, Seth Smith and Russell Wilson, each of whom played the position in college. McMahon played quarterback at perennial California power Mater Dei High, but rather than follow through with his commitment to play baseball at Southern California, he signed with the Rockies for $1,327,600. In his debut, McMahon ranked second in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in slugging (.583) despite being one of the league's youngest regulars. McMahon has a fluid lefty swing and a middle-of-the-field approach that is impressive for a young player and helps him make steady contact. Already possessing present strength and solid athleticism, he projects to have plus power and the ability to hit for a high average. He has a solid arm that is plus at times, average range and is a tick-below-average runner. Despite his youth, McMahon, drawing on his days as a quarterback, was a leader on the field and a presence in the middle of the lineup for a Grand Junction team that made the playoffs. McMahon was the best pure hitter and power hitter in the Rockies' draft class and plays like a veteran despite his youth and two-sport background. He will advance to low Class A Asheville in 2014 and could move quickly.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #82 prospect in 2013 draft
  McMahon burst onto the prospect scene as a junior at the 2012 National High School Invitational and had another strong showing at the 2013 NHSI and the Boras Classic in April. Also a star quarterback for Mater Dei's football team, McMahon is a natural leader. He is still developing as a baseball player, but he has taken a step forward this spring, flashing lefthanded power potential. He has done a better job staying inside the ball and driving it the other way as the season has progressed. He has good hitting instincts and leverage in his swing, giving him a chance to be a solid-average hitter with slightly above-average power as he fills out his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. A former shortstop, McMahon is learning the nuances of third base and needs to improve his footwork, but he has sure hands and an average arm. He's a below-average runner, but his range should be adequate. A team that likes him could draft him as high as the second round and try to buy him out of a commitment to Southern California.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #10 prospect in 2018
  McMahon spent much of the season shuttling between the majors and Triple-A but performed when he stayed in one place long enough to gain a rhythm. He hit .305 with a .908 OPS in his final extended stint in the PCL, was called back up to Colorado on July 29 and remained in the majors for the rest of the season. McMahon remains an athletic hitter with a smooth lefthanded swing that produces consistent hard contact. He’s adjusted his approach to focus on hitting fastballs and spitting on offspeed pitches, and with that change in approach has come more hard contact and fewer strikeouts. Defense was McMahon’s main focus coming into the season, and he rotated between first base, second base and third base all year at Triple-A. He improved to the point the Rockies played him at all three spots as they chased the National League West title. McMahon’s bat is strong enough to play every day, especially now that he has improved his versatility. It’s just a matter of opportunity in Colorado’s crowded infield.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #15 prospect in 2017
  Until this year, McMahon had played predominantly third base with some first base thrown in. The Rockies keyed on his athleticism, agility and good-but-not great power when they shifted him to second base on occasion at Hartford. Though he has some trouble with fastballs on the inside half, McMahon profiles as a line-drive type of hitter whose power could play up with Coors Field as his home park. He leveled out his swing plane this season and improved his contact rate and plate coverage. His speed grades as below-average. McMahon is understandably raw at second base and still has to improve his footwork and the finer points of the position. He is most comfortable at first base, where he started the majority of the time this year.
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #9 prospect in 2017
  McMahon reduced his strikeout rate markedly this season to about 18 percent, all while maintaining power and connecting for a career-high 20 home runs. He has a long, lean frame and large strike zone, but he improved his plate coverage this season by leveling his swing. He lost loft in his swing in the process, but enhanced selectivity helped his power play. Drafted as a third baseman, McMahon has struggled to find a position. He first learned to play first base in 2016 and then added second base this season. He has the athleticism to man second and third as a fringe-average defender but probably fits best at first.
• 
  Ranked California League #4 prospect in 2015
  McMahon's consistent level of production allowed him to rank first in the Cal League with 43 doubles and fourth with a .372 on-base percentage. He also slammed 18 homers--12 in the second half--despite playing in Modesto, a graveyard by league standards. McMahon's power is geared mainly to his pull side, and he's at his best when he can extend his arms. This leaves him vulnerable to inside pitches and sets him up for excessive strikeouts. Contact issues aside, he has a good idea at the plate. When opponents shift the infield to defend him, he can take the ball the other way or even bunt. "I just look at him and go, 'I don't even know what he's going to look like when he's 25 or 26,' "" Stockton manager Rick Magnante said. "He's going to be a monster. And he's very smart--intuitive about the game. He gets it at a young age. He knows what people are trying to do." Managers liked McMahon's savvy and gamer mentality. A good athlete with a solid arm at third base, he needs to clean up his footwork, a major culprit to his league-leading 39 errors at the hot corner.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #11 prospect in 2014
  At his best, McMahon was one of the most feared hitters in the SAL, but every hot streak seemed to be paired with an equally ugly slump. He hit nine home runs in April, then four over the next three months before finishing with another power spike in August. His average similarly spiked and sunk from month to month and week to week. McMahon showed excellent bat speed and plus power potential, but the short corners in Asheville sometimes got him into bad habits where he wouldn't wait for the ball to get to him, hooking ball after ball foul. Defensively, McMahon doesn't always get his feet set properly before he throws, but he has excellent lateral agility and a plus arm that gives him a chance to be an above-average third baseman. "If this is what he is at 19 (years old), his potential down the road is incredible if he can build off what he does now," Greenville manager Darren Fenster said.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #4 prospect in 2013
  A two-sport star at Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei High, McMahon starred as the quarterback on the football team and played third base for the baseball squad. The Rockies took him in the second round and signed him for just over $1.3 million. McMahon was a formidable middle-of-the-order hitter for a Grand Junction team that advanced to the league playoffs, and he projects to have both plus power and the ability to hit for a high average. Speed won?t be a big part of his game, as he?s an average runner now and will probably get a tick slower as he matures. He?s a solid defender at the hot corner with a strong, accurate arm. Despite his youth, McMahon is already a leader on the field. ?He?s very vocal out here,? Grand Junction manager Anthony Sanders said, ?You can tell he came from a good program.?

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #63 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #43 prospect in 2016
• Ranked Baseball America's #95 prospect in 2015

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  McMahon made the Opening Day roster but has been yanked back and forth between the majors and minors as the Rockies try to find the right role for him. Rather than make him a starter, the Rockies used McMahon as a pinch-hitter and utility infielder, preventing him from getting the consistent at-bats or reps needed to adjust to the majors. McMahon remains the Rockies best long-term option at first base, but his future outlook is muddled with the team committed to playing the high-priced Ian Desmond.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: A third baseman in high school, McMahon added first base to his resume in 2016 and began playing second base last year. After a down year offensively in 2016 he rebounded in 2017, batting a combined .355 between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his major league debut on Aug. 12. Scouting Report: McMahon possesses soft hands and a strong arm, but his reaction time was a concern at third base. He handled the move to first base well and, while physically large for second base, impressed the Rockies with how he adapted to the position, although opposing scouts are less convinced. Offensively, McMahon has a consistent, short stroke and uses the whole field. He sits fastball and takes advantage of mistakes, with the strength to produce above-average power in Coors Field. Strikeouts were an issue in the past, but McMahon significantly improved his approach and plate discipline and struck out just 97 times in 2017, compared to an average of 153 strikeouts his first three seasons. The Future: McMahon's positional versatility gives the Rockies options. Wherever he plays, the Rockies envision his bat making a significant everyday contribution.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Lured away from a scholarship to Southern California for $1,327,600 as a 2013 second-round pick, McMahon moved off third base and began working at first base in 2016 at Double-A Hartford. It's part of an organizational play to create multiple options for prospects so they don't get blocked at the big league level. A quarterback in high school, McMahon handled the new position well. Scouting Report: McMahon struggled offensively for the first time in his life in 2016, which isn't all bad. A competitor, he did show life in the second half, even as Hartford endured a season-long road trip due to construction issues that kept the team from ever playing a game in their home park. McMahon will have to adjust at the plate and drive the ball the opposite way, but he does have a bit of a hook in his swing, which makes him susceptible to quality fastballs. He still has average to above-average power. A strong athlete though a below-average runner, he has soft hands and improved footwork at first base. He made 17 errors in 67 games at third.
  
  The Future: The expectations remain high for McMahon, who dealt with Double-A struggles similar to those experienced by shortstop Trevor Story. McMahon likely will return to Hartford to open 2017, but the Rockies won't hesitate promoting him to Triple-A Albuquerque quickly if he responds.
• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  McMahon's consistent level of production allowed him to rank first in the Cal League with 43 doubles and fourth with a .372 on-base percentage. He also slammed 18 homers--12 in the second half--despite playing in Modesto, a graveyard by league standards. McMahon's power is geared mainly to his pull side, and he's at his best when he can extend his arms. This leaves him vulnerable to inside pitches and sets him up for excessive strikeouts. Contact issues aside, he has a good idea at the plate. When opponents shift the infield to defend him, he can take the ball the other way or even bunt. "I just look at him and go, 'I don't even know what he's going to look like when he's 25 or 26,' "" Stockton manager Rick Magnante said. "He's going to be a monster. And he's very smart--intuitive about the game. He gets it at a young age. He knows what people are trying to do." Managers liked McMahon's savvy and gamer mentality. A good athlete with a solid arm at third base, he needs to clean up his footwork, a major culprit to his league-leading 39 errors at the hot corner.