The call came for the big West Chester Rustin graduate late Thursday afternoon.
Chris McMahon took the biggest step yet toward his big league dream.
The tall right-handed pitcher out of the University of Miami was chosen by the Colorado Rockies with the 46th pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft, one day after being disappointed to not hear his name called in the first round.
The 2017 Daily Local News All-Area Baseball Player of the Year spoke with the DLN and Pa. Prep Live Thursday night about his future with the Rockies.
“I have a lot of emotions right now,” McMahon said. “I am excited, relieved and this is a great feeling to be the 46th overall pick in the draft and getting the opportunity to continue to play baseball. Obviously last night was a tough night waiting for your name to be called and Just waiting. To be honest, it was a little disappointing and it was very tough sitting there waiting for your name to be called.”
McMahon, who just finished an abridged junior year at Miami due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sported a 3-0 record this season in four starts with a 1.05 ERA, striking out 38 batters in 25 innings. For his collegiate career, the Hurricances’ ace averaged more than a strikeout per inning.
In his senior season at Rustin, McMahon finished with an 8-0 record and a .077 ERA, en route to DLN Player of the Year honors.
McMahon was drafted in the 33rd round by the Atlanta Braves after the 2017 season, but stuck with his commitment to Miami.
“I just am really excited for the opportunity and I just want to get started and am happy with still being able to play baseball,” McMahon said.
Assuming McMahon signs with the Rockies, local fans may not have to go west to see him play. The Rockies do have minor league affiliates in far-off places like Arizona, California, New Mexico and Idaho, but McMahon could have stopovers with the Asheville Tourists (single-A) in North Carolina and the Hartford Yard Goats (double-A) in Connecticut.
