Yankees' Ryan McMahon Aims to Cut Down Strikeouts

The infielder is making a subtle change to his stance to improve his plate discipline.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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New York Yankees infielder Ryan McMahon has acknowledged making a small adjustment to his batting stance in an effort to cut down on his high strikeout rate. McMahon, who split time between the Yankees and Colorado Rockies last season, hit .223 with 16 home runs and 134 strikeouts in 105 combined games. He's hoping the tweak to his stance, which previously featured one of the widest foot distances in MLB, will help him regain the form that saw him post lower strikeout rates in previous seasons.

Why it matters

Reducing strikeouts is a key priority for McMahon as he looks to solidify his role with the Yankees. His high strikeout totals have hindered his overall offensive production, and the Yankees will need him to make more consistent contact if he's going to be a regular contributor in their lineup.

The details

According to data from Baseball Savant, McMahon had the fourth-widest stance among MLB hitters last season, with his feet positioned 42.7 inches apart on average. He's now working to narrow that stance in an effort to improve his plate coverage and bat control. McMahon believes reverting to some of the techniques that helped him post lower strikeout rates in the past will give him "the best chance every single time" at the plate.

  • In the 2024 season, McMahon had a 28.8% strikeout rate.
  • In the 2023 season, McMahon had a 31.6% strikeout rate.
  • In the 2021 season, McMahon had a 26.5% strikeout rate and a 24.7% strikeout rate.

The players

Ryan McMahon

An infielder for the New York Yankees who is looking to cut down on his high strikeout totals.

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What they’re saying

“Just things I've done in the past and things I kind of got away from. They pointed them out, and we worked on them. Trying to find a way to give myself the best chance every single time and be consistent with it.”

— Ryan McMahon (New York Post)

What’s next

As McMahon attempts to help the Yankees, he will also focus on improving his defense in addition to cutting down his strikeout rate.

The takeaway

McMahon's willingness to make a subtle adjustment to his batting stance shows his commitment to becoming a more consistent offensive contributor for the Yankees. If he can successfully reduce his strikeouts, it could be a significant boost to the team's lineup as they look to bounce back from a disappointing end to the 2025 season.