Colorado Rockies: Ryan McMahon, Trevor Story, and the mutual fan club

For Black, the foundation for the Story-McMahon connection began last season on the practice fields here in Scottsdale.

“It starts with both guys having a commitment to work in practice, and that’s how it starts, because it’s a combo. You need two to tango,” Black told me. “They’re both on board with practice and work, so it’s a natural development. They have the time together and they’re getting their repetitions.

“On the personal side, they’re both good guys. They have personalities that mesh and they have similar interests. They’re both tremendous athletes.

“Mac has sort of stepped into DJ’s shoes. He’s a guy that Trevor likes working with, practicing with, and talking baseball with, so it’s a great fit.”

Story worked with LeMahieu for three seasons as his double play partner but has quickly been impressed with what McMahon has been able to do at second. Colorado’s All-Star shortstop, however, says it’s more than just the talent that McMahon brought with him as one of the prospects that intrigued Rockies fans most since being drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft.

“He’s really good over there, but not by accident. He’s put in the work,” Story said. “He’s taken his ground balls with great intent and you see that pay off in the game. He makes incredible plays and he doesn’t make silly errors or anything like that, which I think is the most important part. He’s used his athleticism over there really well. I’m happy for him. I think he could be one of the best.”

Those words, “one of the best,” are words that McMahon doesn’t take likely. He also knows he can’t rest on what was a solid 2019 campaign.

“I’m not too comfortable in this game,” McMahon said. “I’m going to keep working but I’m going to go up there with confidence, even if I have struck out the last 10 at-bats. I’ve had success at the big league level so now, for me, it’s about doing it consistently.

“I’m not going to be comfortable with where I’m at. I’m going to keep working on what I need to do to get better and I’m going to take this confidence with me.”

Story and McMahon have not only developed chemistry on double plays, but also working together off the field on their relationship and timing on the diamond.

“Me and Mac are real close so we talk a lot and we’re always communicating,” Story said. “I think we’ve always been pretty comfortable with each other out there. Since spring last year when he was playing second, it’s just been a natural flow for us.”

When told of Story’s words, McMahon quickly deflected the praise back to his shortstop as easy as he would start a 6-4-3 double play.

“Trevor makes it really easy to have chemistry with,” McMahon smiled. “He does a lot of things really well that makes my job much easier. Once I figured out how he was going to do things, it was kind of easy for me to feel a smooth rhythm with him.

“He makes it really easy to play second, that’s for sure.”

More from Colorado Rockies News

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: 3 things we appreciated from Tuesday in San Francisco
• What Bill Schmidt’s comments mean for the Colorado Rockies in 2023

So what’s next for the duo? For McMahon, this spring has given him the chance to focus more on taking the next steps he wants to take as a second baseman. That includes finally being able to focus primarily on one position rather than bouncing between third, second, and first base.

That focus included a long portion at the start of the spring where McMahon didn’t even take any reps at first base. That was a big statement after he was asked in previous seasons to split his time around the infield.

“I wanted to give my whole heart and focus to second base, but whatever happens and however I can help the team out, I’ll do that,” McMahon said. “Buddy had mentioned it to me, making sure I popped over to first and third. Honestly, I just hadn’t. I had gotten so caught up in the day-to-day stuff at second that I forgot to slide over there.

“It’s just easier (focusing on second). When you’re doing multiples (positions), you have to divide your time. It’s not that hard because we have a bunch of great coaches that help us out with planning and stuff like that. So I’ll start working around and making sure I touch those bases.”

McMahon always credits Story for being a sounding board last season as he learned how to flourish at second.

“It made it easier for me to ask him questions,” McMahon said of their relationship off the field and Story’s attitude. “If I wasn’t feeling comfortable with something or if I was having trouble with something, I wasn’t going to be afraid to go up to him, as opposed to if you don’t know a guy very well or something like that, you might ask someone else.”

What’s next for Story and McMahon? How will the chemistry on and off the field develop even more in 2020? The answers to those questions could provide plenty of excitement and optimism for Rockies fans in 2020 and beyond.