“Can juggle.”

That’s the final line in Ryan McMahon’s bio in the Rockies media guide.

It’s not what you might think. There are no flaming torches involved, no sharp-edged swords.

“Yep, I can juggle three baseballs,” the Rockies’ first-time All-Star third baseman confirmed.

More important to McMahon, 29, is how he’s balancing his play on the diamond and his life off it.

In February, his wife, Natalie, gave birth to a baby girl they named Austyn Brook. The circles are darker under Daddy’s eyes these days, but he’s having the best season of his eight-year career. Natalie doesn’t think it’s a coincidence.

“He comes home for the ballpark and Austyn is looking up, smiling at him,” Natalie said. “She’s just so happy her dad is there. I think it’s given Ryan the opportunity to separate the ballpark from home.”

McMahon, Colorado’s lone representative in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, admits his life has become a juggling act. And he couldn’t be happier.

“A lot of changes,” he said, laughing. “I had my first child in February. I change diapers, all of that. But I love it. And I feel like I had a really good offseason and I feel pretty focused.

“I’m so lucky. My wife is a rockstar and she handles the bulk of (parenting). She’s great at being a mom.”

McMahon, a three-time Gold Glove finalist, but never a winner, is terrific at talking about his teammates. But he clams up when talking about himself, even when discussing his first trip to the Midsummer Classic.

“It’s cool. It’s an honor. I’m excited.”

That’s about all you get.

But Natalie knows what a big deal it is.

“Truthfully, I think it means the world to him,” she said. “I get to see how hard he works and then he comes home and is a husband and a great father. To be recognized in his craft means a lot to him. And I know it means a lot to his family and friends.”

In previous seasons, McMahon has enjoyed star-spangled months, followed by disheartening droughts.

Last season, for example, he slashed .349/.434/.644 with eight home runs, 11 doubles, two triples and 25 RBIs over 35 games from May 12 to June 19. But he slashed .206/.292/.357 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs in 80 games from June 20 through the end of the season.

“Baseball is such a long grind and it can be such an emotional ride,” Natalie said. “But I think he’s handling it so much better this season.”

Although McMahon entered the All-Star break without hitting a home run since June 22 (a span of 69 at-bats), he’s avoided a prolonged slump. Over his last 30 games since June 11, he’s hit .302 with a .859 OPS and 15 extra-base hits (including four homers).

“It is about balance, man, but over the course of a long season, that’s not easy,” McMahon said. “For me, it’s about experience and taking trips around the league and kind of understanding what (pitchers) are going to try to do to me. There are certain things you can only learn by playing at this level.”

He believes he’ll put together a star-worthy second half of the season.

“I feel good, I think I’m in a good place,” he said. “But I want to get back to playing really good baseball. It’s been kind of a grind for me, personally, the last month and a half. But I’m trying to do my best.”

Although McMahon didn’t become a full-time starter until 2019, he was part of the Rockies’ 2017 and ’18 playoff teams. The memory of that success drives him, even as the Rockies careen toward their sixth consecutive losing season and are likely headed toward their second straight 100-loss season.

“It’s not fun, it’s not what you want to be doing,” said McMahon, who’s three years into a six-year, $70 million contract. “I got spoiled because I got a taste of the playoffs my first two years in the big leagues. It was awesome. It’s definitely something I want to experience again, hopefully, a couple of more times, and hopefully in Colorado.”

Does he think the Rockies can turn things around?

“I do,” he said. “You see signs around the league, with a team like the Royals, with some good young players, making a little noise. I can see some of that with us.

“We have a little bit of that with (center fielder Brenton) Doyle and (shortstop Ezequiel) Tovar. Some of our starting pitchers are getting healthy again, so I think there is a possibility.

“You always have to believe there is a possibility. If you don’t think you can make the playoffs, you’re not going to, that’s for sure.”

Manager Bud Black views McMahon as essential to Colorado’s reconstruction project.

“He’s grown into a leadership role,” Black said. “He wants us to be contenders. This is his team, it’s part of him. Getting recognized as an All-Star is good for ‘Mac.’

“The fact that he was selected by his peers, coaches and managers, that’s important. He’s deserving. I think it’s helped him grow. He’s a key for us going forward.”

All-Star Credentials

Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon is putting together the best season of his career and it’s landed him a spot in the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. Here are his credentials:

• Leads all National League third basemen in on-base percentage (.350) while ranking second in batting average (.272), hits (98), OPS (.797) and total bases (161).

• Leads all NL third basemen in total chances (280), assists (214) and range factor (2.98), and ranks tied for third in defensive bWAR (0.9), and fourth in defensive runs saved (6).

• Named a Gold Glove finalist each of the past three seasons. Since 2021, his 7.0 total dWAR ranks second among all third basemen and his 55 total DRS rate is the third-most among all position players.

— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post

Source: Baseball Reference

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Originally Published: July 15, 2024 at 5:13 p.m.