Colorado Rockies: How Jonathan Lucroy impacted Ryan McMahon

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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 01: Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Colorado Rockies during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /

At the age of 23, there is still plenty for Ryan McMahon to learn about the game of baseball. As he chatted with me in an exclusive interview inside the halls of Denver’s Archuleta Elementary on Tuesday morning just before he was slated to take part in a school assembly set up by the Colorado Rockies, McMahon talked about one of the players who taught him the most last season.

After getting just 19 at-bats last season in his first taste of the big leagues, McMahon enters this season with the potential of not only making his first Opening Day roster but also holding down at least some of the duties at first base for the Rockies. He has been rumored to be “penciled in” at the position. If that’s the case, he will take some of the lessons he learned from former Rockies catcher Jonathan Lucroy with him onto the diamond.

Lucroy, acquired by the Rockies at last season’s trade deadline, had not been with the team long when McMahon got his first big league call-up on August 11. The intersection of those two transactions made a huge impact on McMahon’s career, the young infielder says.

“Last season, I probably learned more off the field,” McMahon explained. “I got very lucky. Jon Lucroy actually, like the first week he was there I got called up, he and I spent about an hour in the video room. He was showing me different hitters and saying, ‘I think this guy is similar to you. This is what he does well. Look at where he’s looking. He’s leaving that pitch alone.’ Talking with him and talking with Ian Desmond and some other guys, you pick up on things. Whether they know they’re giving you good advice or not, you pick up on it. “It’s like these kids,” McMahon said as students lined up behind him to make their way into the gymnasium to hear the Rockies presentation. “You’re looking up to them and taking whatever they say as the gospel, basically.”

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That’s not something that McMahon takes lightly he says. He recalls being one of those kids, just like the students at Archuleta Elementary, hanging on every word that an older player said.

“This is fun. This is cool,” McMahon said. “I remember being a kid and looking up to guys who played ball so this is special for me and I hope it’s special for the kids too. Hopefully I am a good influence on them like I had in my life. I was blessed. I had some really good influences in my life and I am trying to be that for them.”

So was he an autograph hound as a youngster? McMahon says no, but there was one prized possession he had.

“I had a Shawn Green signed rookie card and that was my pride and joy,” McMahon beamed. “If I was going to grandma’s house, I would take my Shawn Green card with me and set it somewhere in the house and then I would go get it before I left. That was my favorite one for sure.”

MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 13: Ryan McMahon #1 of the Colorado Rockies records his first major league hit in the eighth inning during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Park on August 13, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

McMahon enters the home stretch toward spring training with the potential of landing a starting job at first base. As I asked him if his approach to this offseason was changing, a smile started to cross his face.

“Everyone keeps asking me that so I am starting to wonder if I should be doing something different,” McMahon laughed. “I’m still doing the exact same things. I’m still lifting. I’m still taking ground balls. I’m still hitting. I start everything I’ve always started.”

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While he admits that he does know some of the talk about his potential role with the Rockies in 2018 and beyond, he is trying to keep it off to the side as much as possible.

“I’d be lying if I said I don’t see it but it doesn’t affect me too much,” McMahon said. “I understand that (Colorado general manager) Jeff (Bridich) and (Colorado manager) Bud (Black) are going to do what’s best for the team. Hopefully I can show them and prove to them I am the best option.”

Is there pressure in having to show your skills to earn the job?

“There probably is to an extent. But when you’re in the moment, you’re just in the moment,” McMahon said. “During the moment, I don’t feel any pressure. You want to succeed for your teammates. We have a special group coming in this year. Maybe it’s more me putting pressure on myself because I want to be a part of that.”

And some of wanting to be part of things this year is because of the taste of the postseason McMahon got last year. After being sent down a week after his first call-up, he was once again recalled on September 1 when Major League rosters expanded and was part of Colorado’s stretch run to make the postseason. It’s an experience that won’t be forgotten and will hopefully pay dividends down the road.

“Being there at the Wild Card game, that was the coolest baseball I have ever seen,” McMahon said. “You guys think you’re hanging on every pitch? We’re hanging onto the breaths between the pitches. I know I didn’t miss one pitch from that Wild Card game. It was awesome baseball.”

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 23: Ryan McMahon #85 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

While McMahon has the best opportunity for the most playing time at first base, he is still working hard to improve his skills as a third baseman and second baseman as well. Last season while at Triple-A Albuquerque, he played 36 games at first base, 24 at second base and 13 at third base, all while hitting .374 and posting a 1.023 OPS.

No, McMahon isn’t focused on just one position, something that he believes will benefit the Rockies as Colorado continues to push the word “versatility” throughout the farm system.

“I still do all three. I think that’s how I am going to be most valuable to this team. I have to be ready for whatever happens. Hopefully I can bring them an option,” McMahon said. “There are different things I want to work on at each position. For example, at second, my body position when I’m getting ready to field a ball. Just be more consistent and put myself in the best position I can and move side to side more. Little things like that. Just fine tuning the things I know I need to do.”

While many are assuming McMahon will play a big role for Colorado in 2018, he hasn’t forgotten last season’s spring training. It was his first invite to big league camp and he didn’t last as long as he would’ve liked.

“I want to make the most of each opportunity and hopefully I get a couple more than in years past. I got cut like the first cut,” McMahon said. “I was so focused on trying to find my swing again because I really didn’t have it in spring training. Honestly, where I learned the most was being up in September and seeing those guys throughout the season. In spring training, everyone is trying to get ready. You see how meticulous they are throughout their daily preparation.”

And that includes watching video, just like McMahon did with Lucroy last season. This year, Lucroy will move on to another team with the Rockies signing Chris Iannetta before the Winter Meetings. While Lucroy may not be with Colorado, his impact will still be felt.

Next: First base and two other questions that need to be answered by the Rockies soon

“I wish him luck wherever he goes,” McMahon said. “I really enjoyed my time that I had with him.”

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