Colorado Rockies: Versatile Ryan McMahon excited to be back in Denver

When Ryan McMahon received his first-ever call-up to the Colorado Rockies last month, he said the news came as a complete surprise to him. Now McMahon is back with the Rockies and could be a key contributor as the team makes a push for its first postseason berth since 2009.

McMahon got just nine at-bats in his four games with the Rockies last month after being called up while the team was in Miami. In his last game with the squad on August 17 against Atlanta, McMahon went 1-for-3 with an RBI and score a run in his best statistical outing of his young professional career.

The 22-year-old second-round pick of the Rockies in the 2013 draft took advantage of the time back in Triple-A after his first big league experience to get back in the swing of playing every day. He did just that, finishing the season with a 15-for-41 (.349) performance. That includes his final three games of 6-for-10 with a homer and four RBI.

McMahon finished the Triple-A campaign hitting .374 in 70 games. That comes after being promoted from Double-A Hartford where he logged a .326 average in 49 games. Combine it all and McMahon hit .355 in the minors this season with 20 home runs and 88 RBI.

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Still, McMahon, who was ranked as the fourth-best prospect for the Rockies by Baseball America at the midseason point, said he wasn’t taking for granted the Rockies would call him up when the rosters expanded on September 1.

"“I don’t know if I expected it. I thought it was a possibility,” the soft-spoken McMahon said in an exclusive interview with Rox Pile. “I’m definitely excited that they asked me to come up here.”"

McMahon, who earned league Player of the Month honors in both Hartford and Albuquerque, said things certainly felt different this time when he stepped into the Coors Field clubhouse.

"“Walking in here today, it just felt different,” McMahon smiled. “It felt like I had been here before. I know what I have to do. Get in here and get to work and try to help and be a part of the team. I’m just excited to be back.”"

How will the Rockies use McMahon for the remainder of the season? That’s a big question, along with the other five players who joined Colorado on Friday. McMahon, outfielder Mike Tauchman and catcher Tom Murphy join pitchers Carlos Estevez, Jeff Hoffman and Zac Rosscup as the newest members of Colorado’s active roster.

"“It depends on the game,” Colorado manager Bud Black told Rox Pile and other media members before Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “There’s a potential on any given night for these guys to get in the game, depending on the type of game it is. They’re here to help us win a game. Each and every night, there might be an opportunity for one of these six guys to contribute to a Rockies win in some fashion.”"

Next: 3 things that will make or break the Rockies in September

McMahon saw time at first, second and third base in his four games with the Rockies in August. He provides depth and versatility to Colorado’s infield. He also had 11 stolen bases in the minors this season so pinch running to add speed on the bases is a possibility as well.