Colorado Rockies spring training notebook: McMahon’s defense, Freeland’s debut

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Some news and notes from Colorado Rockies spring training, including Ryan McMahon’s defensive attitude and Kyle Freeland’s mantra heading into his spring debut.

The Ryan McMahon-Josh Fuentes connection

On Sunday before the Rockies headed to Glendale to take on the Chicago White Sox, I watched McMahon at third base working on his defense. Not only was he picking up hot grounders and choppers hit his way, but he was also making some acrobatic and daring throws toward his first baseman, who was Josh Fuentes throughout the drill.

The two seem to have built a chemistry across the corners, with it building at the Major League level last September when McMahon took over third base in the final week of the season as Nolan Arenado was shelved with a shoulder injury. Now that chemistry is carrying over to spring training and could be seen often in the regular season.

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I asked McMahon about the faith he has to have in his first baseman when making a tough throw to try to get the runner out.

"“I have blind trust,” McMahon said. “I’m like, ‘Hey man, I’m trying to get the ball in the vicinity. You’re a professional. You’re gonna make the play.’“Having Josh over there right now, I mean, we all know how good Josh is. And I think he’s the guy who’s kind of earned everybody’s trust. Just get it over there. You know, if the guy’s running fast, hey, we’re gonna throw up a prayer and I hope my guy picks me up here. You feel confident in Josh over there for sure.”"

Kyle Freeland’s checklist

Before Kyle Freeland makes his spring debut on Monday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick against the Cincinnati Reds, I asked him what he was looking to accomplish heading into his three-inning stint.

"“Starting to work on certain pitches and pitch mix, kind of similar to last year,” Freeland said. “Just going to take it one pitch per start at a time, and focus on that one pitch and then start to develop it throughout the spring so by the end of spring training. I have, that full arsenal ready and I’m comfortable with it. Throwing all the pitches that I want to and with a big chunk of them and take that into the season.”"

Also among those on the pitching list for Monday’s action is Ryan Castellani and Mychal Givens, both of whom struggled in their lone spring outings so far. Castellani surrendered four earned runs in two innings while Givens gave up a homer and three runs in his one inning of work.