Over the past few weeks, we have taken a look at some of the more undervalued players for fantasy baseball as we enter the 2023 MLB season. One such name that could be considered to be in this category is Rockies 3B Ryan McMahon. Why is that the case? Let’s take a closer look at McMahon’s 2022 season, plus his standing among a deep pool of third basemen.
Related: 2023 MLB Fantasy: Ranking the Top 10 First Basemen
A Look at McMahon
Much of the run production responsibilities for Colorado last season fell upon the feet of C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon. While Cron thrived in 2022, McMahon did hit a skid for parts of last season.
On year after McMahon connected with 23 home runs and a career-high 86 RBIs, the 29-year-old hit just eight bombs in the first four months of the season. McMahon did, however, find his groove in August and September. In fact, the Rockies infielder was one of the best fantasy performers in the second half of the 2022 campaign.
From August 3 to the end of the regular season, McMahon hit .261/.316/.500 with 12 home runs and 23 RBIs. McMahon’s 12 homers ranked among the top 15 in all of baseball in that stretch, and third-best among third basemen. Only Eugenio Suarez (14) and Manny Machado (14) hit more in that stretch.
As a whole, McMahon hit .246/.327/.414 with 20 home runs and 67 RBIs. While McMahon didn’t drive in as many runs as the year earlier, he did post the third 20+ home run campaign of his career.
Batted ball metrics paint a favorable picture of the third baseman, who ranked in the top 10% of the league in average and maximum exit velocity, and in the top 20% for Hard Hit%. McMahon can effortlessly drive pitches to the gap and beyond, thanks in large part to very good body strength. Couple that with playing in Coors Field, and that’s a match made in heaven.
In addition to good pop, the 29-year-old boasts solid plate discipline at the plate as well. McMahon drew 60 walks in 2022, good for a top ten finish among third basemen
2023 Fantasy Outlook for McMahon
Look, any power hitter that plays half of his games in Coors Field is worthy of a long look. McMahon may not be flashiest third baseman in the game, but the 29-year-old owns good power and bat-to-ball skills. If the lineup around McMahon —which will hopefully include a healthy Kris Bryant this year — can provide good support, he should have a solid chance for another 25 HR, 85 RBI campaign like in 2021.
McMahon didn’t make our top ten third baseman list for fantasy this season. However, the Rockies infielder isn’t that far behind and should be considered in the 11-16 range.
ESPN ranks McMahon as the 20th-best third baseman & 216th player overall in the points league pools, and the 17th-best 3B & 210th player in H2H and roto leagues — somewhat low for our liking. The 29-year-old should be ahead of names like Luis Urias, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Alec Bohm. Consider McMahon a top-200 talent in 2023.
