Ryan McMahon remembers attending his first big league camp in 2016 as a member of the Rockies and taking group infield practice. More importantly, he remembers what he saw when the session ended.
As McMahon and other hungry, young players and some veterans walked off the field, DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado, two of Colorado’s best players and defenders, remained. The two already owned four Gold Glove Awards between them at that point, yet they kept taking ground balls after others stopped.
“I just learned how to work from those guys,” McMahon said, adding that Trevor Story also had a huge impact on his defense in Colorado. “When you have those three guys and you’re 20 years old in your first big league camp, you’re going to learn a lot if you just shut up and watch and pay attention.”
It’s funny that McMahon, the Yankees’ new third baseman after being traded by the Rockies on Friday, mentioned LeMahieu and Arenado.
LeMahieu spent seven years with the Rockies before signing two deals with the Yankees. His seven-season tenure in the Bronx came to an unceremonious end earlier this month, as the Yankees designated LeMahieu for assignment after numerous injuries robbed the four-time Gold-Glover of his defensive prowess.
The decision prevented a reunion with McMahon, whose big league career overlapped with LeMahieu in Colorado in 2017 and 2018. It was LeMahieu’s work ethic that inspired McMahon to “get after it” defensively, he said.
“He just kind of leaves that professional impact on other guys. Total pro, just somebody that’s really easy to look up to,” McMahon said. “His actions spoke a lot louder than his words, but they spoke loudly.”
McMahon specifically noted LeMahieu’s willingness to play anywhere in his prime.
Second base was always LeMahieu’s best position – his lacking range there became untenable in his final days with the Yankees – but he also played third, short and first in Colorado. Then he roamed between first, second and third in pinstripes.
As an up-and-coming player, McMahon said LeMahieu’s dedication to versatility sent a message.
“That’s something you should definitely be locked in on and realizing,” said McMahon, who spent time at first, second, short and third early on. “Like, ‘Hey man, this guy is established. He’s been an All-Star, done all this, and he’s willing to do this. You should be willing, too.’”
McMahon doesn’t keep in regular contact with LeMahieu these days, but he hopes to pick his brain about playing in New York in the coming days. Charlie Blackmon, another former Rockies teammate, recommended that McMahon reach out.
Arenado, meanwhile, played in Colorado from 2013-2020 before getting traded to the Cardinals. More recently – especially this past offseason and spring – trade rumors pegged Arenado as a fit for the Yankees, but no such deal ever materialized for the 10-time Gold Glove winner.
Instead, the Bombers ended up with a third baseman who studied under Arenado.
“I learned a lot from Nolan,” McMahon said. “That guy worked his tail off every single day.”
McMahon mentioned that he began fielding everything with one hand after seeing Arenado do the same. He had a few error-filled seasons in the minors, but the change helped him blossom into one of baseball’s best defensive third baseman.
Since 2021, McMahon is second among all third baseman in Defensive Runs Saved (54), third in Outs Above Average (42) and third in Fielding Run Value (32). Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes – also linked to the Yankees before the McMahon trade – ranks first in all three categories, while Arenado, ranks fourth, second and second, respectively.
The Yankees have already benefited from McMahon’s defense over his first two games, as he made a diving stop and a strong throw in his team debut on Saturday, robbing the Phillies’ Otto Kemp of extra bases in a loss. In Sunday’s win, he added a leaping catch on a soft Bryce Harper lineout before sliding to his knees for a Trea Turner grounder and throwing out the speedy runner.
“I just got confidence to go out there, attack the zone, and hopefully they hit the ball at him, because it seems like he’s gonna catch it every time,” Carlos Rodón said after McMahon helped him get a win on Sunday. “It’s nice to have.
“He’s already been tremendous.”
Oh so that’s Ryan McMahon defense pic.twitter.com/9ZCq9Xq5OC
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 26, 2025
Boone, meanwhile, said that “there’s an ease with which he plays the position.”
The manager then recalled being impressed with McMahon when the Yankees visited Coors Field in May, so much so that he had to tell his bench coach, Brad Ausmus.
“He made a play, and I think I turned to Brad and I said, ‘That’s what third base is supposed to look like right there,’” Boone said. “There’s that real athleticism. He moves really well through the ball. He’s explosive. He’s got a good arm, and there’s a real good clock, but also a calmness that he plays the position with. It shows when you watch him for a couple days.”
That it has, as McMahon has been as advertised and making a strong first impression over his first few games with his new team.
He has a few ex-Rockies — and one former Yankee ” to thank for that, as they taught him the importance of glovework before he reached the majors.
“Defense is a mental choice,” McMahon said. “You gotta be ready every pitch. I think it’s a commitment. I think it’s how you show your team you care.”
