TORONTO — Ryan McMahon has entered one of those rare zones where everything comes together.
His swing is compact, efficient and powerful. His pitch recognition is acute. His confidence is sky-high.
Entering Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays, the Rockies’ third baseman had slashed .415/.484/.623 with two home runs through the first 14 games of the season. In Colorado’s 12-4 victory on Friday night, he tied his career high with four hits, a performance that included a career-high three doubles.
The last Rockies player with a higher batting average through 14 games was Charlie Blackmon in 2020 (.446), and the last player with a higher on-base percentage was Blackmon in 2014 (.490).
It’s McMahon’s approach, not just the gaudy numbers, that have impressed manager Bud Black.
“His four hits last night were all with two strikes,” Black said. “That’s a good sign for ‘Mac.’ ”
McMahon, 29, has soared in rarified air before. During a 35-game stretch last season, from May 12 to June 19, he slashed .349/.434/.644 with eight home runs, 11 doubles, two triples and 25 RBIs. That tantalizing teaser left Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt wanting more.
“I want to see him consistently put the ball in play,” Schmidt said during the offseason. “Cut down on the strikeouts and put the ball in play. He’s capable of being a .260-.270 hitter, not .240. There was a point (last season) when he was one of the better players in the league. He’s capable of doing that.”
That ceiling has yet to emerge over the course of a full season. Instead, peaks and valleys have defined McMahon’s career.
He carries a .247 career batting average and .759 OPS. His career-high for home runs is 24, but that was in 2019. Too many strikeouts marred his 2023 season. His 31.6% strikeout rate was the fourth-highest in the majors and the third-highest in franchise history.
“For me, it’s about consistency and finding a way to eliminate those bad spells,” he said. “If I do that, I think I’ll be fine and the numbers will take care of themselves.”
Entering Saturday’s game, McMahon’s strikeout rate was 21.0%, below the 22.6% major league rate and well below his 28.7% career rate. McMahon is trying to keep his offensive approach intact by concentrating on his two-strike approach.
“If I take five or six bad swings in the cage, I’ll yell at the (hitting) coaches, ‘Hey, two-strike approach,’ ” he said. “Then, I’ll go to it until I find my swing.”
During the offseason, McMahon swung an oversized 38-ounce bat — much heavier than the 31 1⁄2-ounce bat he uses in games — to keep his hips and hands in proper sequence. So far, at least, it’s translated into an excellent approach.
“The stroke, the swing, the approach with two strikes has been solid,” Black said. “Now, it’s been just 14 games, so we’ll see. But I like that he’s putting the ball in play with more consistency.”
Gilbreath update. Lefty reliever Lucas Gilbreath is making progress in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2023. During live batting practice on Thursday at extended spring training in Arizona, he cranked his fastball up to 95 mph. He threw 25 pitches with no complications and his next step is pitching in a game, most likely on Tuesday.
“It’s pretty likely he’ll be in an extended spring training game against another uniform, team, with umpires, the whole deal,” Black said. “That’s a big step. From there, (he’s getting close) close to a (minor league) rehab assignment.”
Gausman’s struggles. Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman, a graduate of Grandview High School, got roughed up by the Rockies Friday night when he allowed six runs on 10 hits over just 3 2/3 innings in a 12-4 loss. The flogging inflated his ERA to 11.57 over his first three starts. Gausman, who finished third in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award last season, is frustrated.
“Nothing good happened,” Gausman said. “Just a lot of pitches, a lot of hits, a lot of doubles and a lot of runs. Not many positives.”
The good news for Gausman is that his fastball velocity was back to normal Friday. Plus, the Blue Jays are hopeful he’s just shaking off rust. He missed time in spring training because of shoulder fatigue and didn’t get in a full camp. That’s why he began the season as Toronto’s fourth starter, not the opening day starter he was initially lined up to be.
“I wish I was eight starts in right now, but I’m at three,” Gausman said. “That’s unfortunate. It’s frustrating. I also have to give myself a little bit of grace when it comes to that, but it is frustrating. All I want to do is go out there, pitch the way I know how and dominate.”
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