Yankees' Ryan McMahon Adopts Narrower Stance for Offensive Boost

The infielder looks to improve his hitting with a new batting stance after a down year.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 6:47pm

Shortly after the 2025 season, Yankees infielder Ryan McMahon had a Zoom call with the team's hitting coaches to discuss ways to improve his offensive production. The coaches suggested McMahon adopt a narrower batting stance, noting that a wider stance can sometimes cause issues with hip movement and swing mechanics.

Why it matters

McMahon is an important part of the Yankees' lineup, and the team is hoping the adjustment to his stance will help him regain his form at the plate after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Improving McMahon's offense could provide a significant boost to the Yankees' chances of contending in the 2026 season.

The details

During the Zoom call, Yankees hitting coach James Rowson and assistants Casey Dykes and Jake Hirst advised McMahon that a wider batting stance can sometimes lead to issues with hip movement and swing mechanics. They recommended he adopt a narrower stance in an effort to improve his offensive production.

  • The Zoom call between McMahon and the Yankees' hitting coaches took place shortly after the 2025 season ended.

The players

Ryan McMahon

An infielder for the New York Yankees.

James Rowson

The hitting coach for the New York Yankees.

Casey Dykes

An assistant hitting coach for the New York Yankees.

Jake Hirst

An assistant hitting coach for the New York Yankees.

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What they’re saying

“When guys get really wide, sometimes hips start to slide a little bit,”

— James Rowson, Yankees Hitting Coach

What’s next

The Yankees will monitor McMahon's progress with the new batting stance during spring training and into the 2026 regular season to see if the adjustment helps improve his offensive production.

The takeaway

The Yankees are hoping that a simple tweak to Ryan McMahon's batting stance will help him regain his offensive form and provide a boost to the team's lineup in the 2026 season.