Colorado Rockies: How Ryan McMahon’s 2021 season will be different in many ways

Ryan McMahon has mainly hit 6th or 7th in the lineup for the Rockies but that may change.

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Another thing that will likely change for McMahon in 2021 is where he bats in the lineup. In 2020, he was in the sixth spot in the starting lineup for the majority of the time but he also had spent a significant amount of time in the 7th and 8th spots.

However, Bud Black has been utilizing him more in the second spot in the lineup so we asked him whether or not he thinks it will be more of a permanent change and what he has liked out of McMahon since he has moved him up there.

"“Well, [that’s something] we’re sort of working through that a little bit,” said Black. “I think, more than anything, we’re hoping there’s an on-base component to (McMahon). I think you look at his track record. I think there’s selectivity. There has been (walks) in his game to help go along with his batting average. (He’s) a guy that we think should get on-base at a decent clip for our hitters who hit three, four, and five and to be able to do some RBI damage. “If (Raimel) Tapia leads off and gets on first base, it opens up a natural hole on the right side that, sometimes, Mac can at times take advantage of with some hard-hit balls that are pulled on the ground that might get through the infield. I think I like the fact that Mac is a present danger with power at the top of the order. I like that aspect of it. But again, it will come down to performance, right, and actually how he’s doing as far as his batting average and his on-base percentage, but I like the selectivity. I like how he conducts an at-bat. And, you know, those types of players make sense at the top of the order.”"

While it may not be a permanent change for McMahon since the Rockies like to keep things fluid depending on matchups and their versatility, don’t be surprised if Ryan McMahon is moved up to the second spot by the time Opening Day rolls around next week.