Mahoney to keep developing in AFL

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The Rockies are continuing right-handed pitcher Jack Mahoney’s learning curve.

Mahoney, 24, a third-round pick from the University of South Carolina in 2023, was one of four pitchers (seven players total) assigned to the Salt River Rafters for the Arizona Fall League, which runs Oct. 6 to Nov. 15.

The Rockies’ contingent for the Rafters includes two of their top prospects -- first baseman Charlie Condon (MLB Pipeline No. 58/Rockies No. 2), outfielder Jared Thomas (Rockies No. 8), plus third baseman Braylon Wimmer. Lefty reliever Welinton Herrera (Rockies No. 20) is also headed to the AFL, and he will be joined by Mahoney, righty Cade Denton and lefty Austin Smith.

The Rockies have kept a close eye on Mahoney since his freshman year, when he went 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 14 games (five starts) before undergoing Tommy John right elbow surgery. Mahoney returned in 2023 and went 7-4 with a 4.16 ERA. Even though he wasn’t fully right, the Rockies selected him, believing he would improve.

Last season, Mahoney made 23 combined appearances (22 starts) with Single-A Fresno and High-A Spokane, and struck out 115 batters in 120 innings. The numbers weren’t as strong at Double-A Hartford this year -- 3-9, 5.99 in 23 starts, with 76 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings.

The AFL gives him a few more opportunities against top competition to seek the consistency he needs to put himself in position to provide the Rockies with rotation depth next season.

Mahoney believes the challenge of this year has been beneficial.

“This year has been the biggest as far as strides I’ve made as far as development,” Mahoney said. “Think the first half of this season was kind of an eye-opening experience of the level of baseball and the speed of the game, and kind of exposed what I needed to work on.

“And I think at the end of the day, you can either, when that stuff happens, either lay down, or you kind of just put your nose back down and keep working and, you know, wait to see the results come. And I think I've done a pretty good job of kind of handling the storm a little bit with the struggles earlier in the year."