Colorado Rockies: Ryan McMahon is not Cody Bellinger

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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) /

As we get closer and closer to Spring Training, it may be time to come to terms with the Colorado Rockies offseason and where they currently stand. They answered a few of their questions about certain situations, moreso pitching than anything else, but nonetheless they answered them.

One of the biggest concerns that was seemingly not addressed by the front office was who will be Colorado’s first baseman. Rox Pile has gone over almost every possible free agent scenario … and even the internal use factor of who could play first. With the free agent market stopping cold turkey after December, I knew that the Rockies may not sign a first baseman. Due to that, the top candidate for the job is rookie Ryan McMahon. Here’s the kicker though (and some Rockies fans may need to hear), he’s not Cody Bellinger.

Yes, that’s right. I said it. You know it’s true. McMahon isn’t Bellinger. Now before you all jump down to the comments and chastise me, hear me out. Ryan McMahon is a clutch guy. At this point in time, it’s the only word I use to describe him after putting up impressive minor league numbers in 2017 after a down 2016 campaign.

As of right now, McMahon appears to be the starter at first base. This isn’t a bad thing because, if the Rockies are officially done spending on free agents, it opens up the payroll to re-sign or extend the contracts for Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado. Even though McMahon is questionable to me as the starter at first base (because of his lack of experience), this could turn out to be a very good thing in the long run for Colorado.

More from Rox Pile

So you’ve read the title of the article. You know exactly what I’m going to be talking about. Yes, the Rockies are hoping McMahon follows in Bellinger’s footsteps as Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry discussed in this article. You could call this a comparison, but I’ve actually written an entire article comparing the Dodgers and Rockies.

Let’s look at McMahon first. He only played in 17 games last season, and started three (all at first base). Statistics may not be the best thing to look at due to the small amount of starts and games played, but it’s best to go over them. McMahon was called up first in August and then for good in September. He ended 2017 with a .158 batting average (three hits in 19 at-bats) and a lone RBI. Like I said earlier, it isn’t not good sample size to look at, but may give a little insight into what could happen.

At the ripe age of 22 last season, Bellinger hit 39 home runs, totaled 97 RBI, and had a batting average of .267. These stats led him to become the National League Rookie of the Year along with being in the Home Run Derby. Bellinger essentially just took Adrian Gonzalez‘s job at first and will most likely keep it for a long time.

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) /

I know you’re going over this whole thing in your head and asking, “What’s the point?” Here’s the point. In order for McMahon to be seen as equal to or above Bellinger, the Rockies have to actually start him this season and play him regularly. A platoon situation may not be enough. Even when McMahon was with the Rockies last season, he had little consistent playing time. McMahon shows a lot of promise (.355 in 119 minor league games last season) and the front office seems to see his true potential. When the rest of the position players come to Spring Training, McMahon has to step up and show the coaches and his teammates that he’s ready to take on everything that will come his way this year.

An Underlying Flaw

This is an extremely realistic solution to the first baseman problem, but there are a few concerns. For example, what happens if he’s actually not ready? It’s a huge a risk to take for a team shooting for another postseason run, especially with someone who’s only gotten so much exposure.

I just want to know the secret formula as to how the Dodgers prepared Cody Bellinger and how to do that with McMahon. I don’t want to shape him like Bellinger, but just have him follow a path to help him with the grind that is the MLB season. If the Rockies are able to instill a workhorse mentality on him and get him into a rhythm with some successful playing time, they may have the key to success and a potential Rookie of the Year on their hands. USA Today recently named McMahon as one of the 100 players to know before the 2018 season began.

Next: First base and other Rockies battles to watch in spring training

Final Thoughts

As of now, Ryan McMahon will likely be the starting first baseman for the Rockies. That’s a good and bad thing. It’s good because the Rockies are embracing the youth movement. It’s bad because it’s taking a big gamble on a potential young star. Here you have a guy that’s very young in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, but the Dodgers just did the same thing and look what happened.

That’s the thing, though. Ryan McMahon is not Cody Bellinger, but he could have a year like him in 2018. This is baseball and there are no players just alike. No, Ryan McMahon isn’t Cody Bellinger, but he can follow the same path as him to stardom.

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