In his career, the Rockies’ Ryan McMahon has experienced solid-to-spectacular Spring Trainings. Until Monday’s 3-for-3 performance with a home run during the 5-4 walk-off win over the Rangers in Scottsdale, Ariz., this was not one of them.

Last season, McMahon knocked nine home runs, six doubles and a triple, but batted .215 with 66 strikeouts in 172 at-bats -- a high total for a player who doesn’t chase pitches. But Monday’s homer in the first inning was a step toward eliminating his biggest issue -- missing hittable pitches early in counts.

His subsequent hits came on the first pitch and with a 1-0 count. If he doesn’t put himself behind early, McMahon could revisit the production of 2019, when he overcame a slow start to hit .250 with 24 home runs and 22 doubles.

“You obviously want to have some good days heading into the season and feel good at the dish,” said McMahon, who lifted his Cactus League average from .189 to .250 on Monday. "And I think that my plan today was I want to be aggressive early on strikes. I did that and put those balls in play, and good things happened.”

Some interesting thinking brought McMahon to this point. The long swings come not from overswinging, but from body position. He has made a slight adjustment to his feet.

“For whatever reason, my natural move is to close off a little bit, which makes the swing a little bit longer and a lot of different things get out of whack and my swing gets longer,” McMahon sad. “It’s just trusting and getting comfortable with that line.

“You’d be surprised what a couple of inches does with where your front foot is.”

Searching for command

Projected Opening Day starter Germán Márquez reached his goals of five innings and 88 pitches -- he believes he could have gone longer -- against the Rangers. But delivery and fastball command are projects he must complete before facing the Dodgers at Coors Field on Opening Day on April 1.

Márquez yielded six hits, including a Nick Solak homer, and walked two against four strikeouts, with pitches riding higher in the zone than he feels is healthy.

“This Spring Training is kind of weird with my delivery, so I’m trying to find that point,” Márquez said. “I think I’m getting closer.”

Young lefty contest brewing

When Ben Bowden (the Rockies' No. 15 prospect) struck out the Royals’ Andrew Benintendi with a runner in scoring position to finish an inning Sunday, it was an argument for his inclusion in the bullpen. Bowden, 26, was a 2016 second-round pick. He's pushing for his Major League debut after dealing with injuries through his Minor League career, but now has an unheralded competitor.

Lucas Gilbreath (No. 27) is a 25-year-old local player from Legacy High School in Broomfield, Colo., and the University of Minnesota who has impressed with his ability to miss bats -- 12 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. His ERA through seven appearances sits at 8.10, but one bad game (four runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on March 17) distorted his solid work.

“Lucas Gilbreath has sort of flown under the radar this spring,” Black said. “He had one really rough outing. The other outings have been really solid. The strikeout numbers have been really high here in Spring Training, which is good to see.”

Gilbreath hasn’t pitched above Class A. However, he pitched as a starter and has compiled 303 Minor League innings. Last year he was able to work with Double-A Hartford pitching coach Frank Gonzales, who lives in the Denver area, and receive advanced analysis.

On Monday, the Rockies trimmed the lefty relief competition by optioning Phillip Diehl to Triple-A Albuquerque, along with right-handed pitcher Antonio Santos. The Rockies also sent lefty Brian Gonzalez, outfielder Jameson Hannah, lefty starter Ryan Rolison and righty reliever Chad Smith to Minor League camp.

New scene, new ideas

Righty Robert Stephenson, acquired from the Reds for righty Jeff Hoffman this winter, has a 5.40 ERA and as many walks (six) as strikeouts. But Stephenson, who is out of Minor League options, has devoted his spring to adjustments that he and the coaches have agreed upon.

“The key is to get him in the strike zone with the fastball,” Black said. “He has real confidence in landing the breaking ball, but the fastball command has been a little spotty this spring.”