Rox Pile
Fansided

Colorado Rockies: 3 players to build around for the future

By Ben Macaluso

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 18: Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two run home run in the first inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 18: Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two run home run in the first inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon
Jun 15, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) on deck in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Another player the Colorado Rockies should build around is Ryan McMahon

Ryan McMahon had the hardest task of anyone on the Colorado Rockies coming into 2021. Even if the comparisons were unfair, they were inevitable. McMahon took over for Nolan Arenado at third base. No one would be envious of that position. But McMahon actually got better. He seemed the beneficiary of stability playing one position and having a more everyday role in the lineup, whether it’s at third base or at second base.

He hit .250 in 2019 with the highest strikeout percentage in the National League and played most of his games at second. In the pandemic shortened 2020 season he was all over the diamond and only hit .215. He is hitting .254 this year but more impressively he has a 4.0 WAR and is driving runners home with 81 RBIs this year. From 2017-2020 he had a combined 2.5 WAR.

In his last game at Coors this season he hit a three-run homer that jump-started the Rockies offense against the Nationals. He doesn’t have to replace one of the best players in franchise history. But he’s a solid bat that can energize this lineup with a tremendous glove and has proven he can be a dependable player for the future of this franchise.

Home/Colorado Rockies News