Spring Training is heating up, and the New York Yankees are hard at work, gearing up for a promising season. Ryan McMahon, a key player to watch, has been making some adjustments aimed at reducing his strikeouts, a move that's got fans buzzing.
McMahon revealed, “It’s about going back to basics, things I used to do but drifted away from. The coaches pointed it out, and we’ve been working on it. I’m trying to give myself the best shot at consistency every time I step up to the plate.”
Last season, McMahon's batting stance averaged a 42.7-inch distance between his feet, according to Baseball Savant. This was the fourth-highest in the majors, and notably, it wasn’t as open as many of the top hitters.
Looking at his stats, McMahon hit .223 with 16 homers, 39 RBIs, and racked up 134 strikeouts over 105 games with both the Yankees and Rockies. This was a dip from the previous season where he hit .242, with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 165 strikeouts. As he gears up to contribute more effectively to the Yankees, McMahon is eager to return to his former prowess at the plate.
His strikeout rate last season stood at 32.3%, up from 28.8% in 2024, and 31.6% in 2023. Back in 2021, he managed a much more efficient 26.5% and 24.7% in previous years.
McMahon is aiming to return to those lower rates. Beyond his offensive tweaks, he’s also sharpening his defensive skills, all part of a broader effort to help the Yankees climb the standings after their Divisional Series exit against the Toronto Blue Jays last season.
Reducing his strikeouts could be the catalyst for a breakout year.