Ryan McMahon, who made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Colorado Rockies, impressed his new club as he helped the Yankees clinch a series-salvaging win against the Phillies on Sunday in just his second game with the team.
With quick moves on both sides of the plate, McMahon seems to be the struggling Yankees‘ new hope. The Bronx Bombers traded for the Rockies’ third baseman on Friday amid the team’s latest slump and Aaron Judge’s recent injury, prompting hopes that the fresh blood could provide a much-needed boost.
McMahon said that while leaving the Rockies was initially a shock, arriving at Yankee Stadium silenced all doubts.
“This is every kid’s dream,” McMahon said in a July 26 press conference. “When you’re 9 or 10 years old, hitting balls in the backyard, you’re picturing yourself in game seven of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. So it’s going to be pretty cool.”
In his past seven games, McMahon slashed .294/.400/.765 — stats that were boosted by his two games with the Yankees. During July, he hit four home runs and drove in 12 runs while hitting to a .775 OPS.
McMahon donned pinstripes as the team faces a long-term slump, winning just 11 of their last 24 games and falling 5 ½ games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East.
Judge, the Yankees’ star player, joined the injury list with a flexor strain, putting additional pressure on other players.
McMahon said he had not considered the team’s performance this season and looks forward to working with his new teammates.
“I don’t think I’ve even thought about it. They brought me in to play third base, play baseball, and that’s something I feel confident in, so I’m going to go out there, try to do the best I can do, and do whatever the team asks me to do to try to help win games.”
“There are a lot of really good players, guys who can do a lot of good things,” McMahon added. “I’m just happy to be part of that.”
Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, said he was impressed by McMahon’s performance and is looking forward to working with him.
“There’s an ease with which he plays the position, and I think he’s got some real offensive upside that hopefully continues to lengthen our lineup,” Boone said during a press conference after Sunday’s game.
McMahon said he was glad to be able to play on Sunday and get to know his teammates.
“It feels good to come in, do some ball player-type stuff, show the guys you’re here, you’re going to play your butt off,” McMahon told a Yankees media representative Sunday.
“Still a lot more to get used to, but I’m excited to be here,” McMahon added.
