2020 MLB Draft Profile: RHP Chris McMahon, Miami (FL)

Chris McMahon

Next up in the MLB Draft Profile series is another Miami Hurricane. It’s Chris McMahon, who has formed quite the 1-2 punch with teammate Slade Cecconi.

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Previous Entries

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Vitals
6’2, 205 pounds
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Bats: Right
Throw: Right
DOB: Feb. 2, 1999

Location
Coral Gables, Fla.
Year: Junior

Rankings
The Athletic: 45
Baseball America: 30
CBS MLB: 23
ESPN: 45
FanGraphs: 47
MLB Pipeline: 29
Perfect Game: 26

Slot recommended bonus (No. 29): $2,424,600

Note: All information of draft prospects compiled from Internet sources, scouting reports and videos.

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The University of Miami is churning out some really strong MLB prospects, and McMahon is no exception. A 3-sport star in high school, he opted for college after being drafted by the Braves in the 33rd round in 2017. It appears he made the correct decision.

The athletic right-hander is armed with a low-90s sinking fastball that can get into mid-90s on a semi-regular basis. It’s a pitch that has good movement and is more effective down in the strike zone. His best offspeed pitch is a low-80s changeup that has good fading action to produce swinging strikes and grounders. His slider is a bit underrated. It’s a sharp, mid-80s pitch that can be inconsistent, but has also shown an ability to miss bats.

McMahon has a solid, repeatable delivery that gives him an above-average future command/control profile. He’s a little more upright on his follow-through, but he’s able to maintain his release point. His athleticism is something the Dodgers look for in a pitching prospect, so it isn’t crazy to think McMahon could take a step forward if he gets into their system.

Video

Videos courtesy of James Weisser, Perfect Game and 2080 Baseball.

Like most pitchers who will be available at No. 29, McMahon profiles as a mid-rotation starter. If he has to move to the bullpen at some point, he has the stuff to be successful in that role, too. As a junior, he has the option to go back to school if he doesn’t get a bonus offer agreeable to him. But if he goes in the first round, that bonus number should be big enough to get him to forego his senior year with the Hurricanes.

About Dustin Nosler

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Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.