Matt McLain is making it impossible for the Cincinnati Reds to ignore him this spring. The second baseman is absolutely raking in Grapefruit League play, putting up video game numbers that have him leading MLB in virtually every offensive category.
McLain’s spring surge comes at the perfect time. He’s fighting for a starting spot under manager Terry Francona after a tough 2025 campaign where he managed just a .643 OPS across 147 games.
That’s a far cry from his rookie season in 2023, when he finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
No one is having a better spring than Matt McLain:
5 HR (1st in MLB)
12 RBI (1st in MLB)
17 H (1st in MLB)
13 R (1st in MLB)
.607 AVG (1st in MLB)
1.179 SLG (1st in MLB)
1.846 OPS (1st in MLB) pic.twitter.com/7TgwJJ0qn1— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 12, 2026
Those numbers are borderline absurd for the 26-year-old former two-time first-round pick. Leading all of baseball in homers, RBIs, hits, runs, average, slugging, and OPS? That’s the kind of spring that turns heads and changes roster plans.
The Reds have some decisions to make across their infield. Elly De La Cruz is locked in at shortstop, and Eugenio Suarez returns to third base after crushing 49 homers last season between Arizona and Seattle.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Ke’Bryan Hayes‘ elite glove at third could push Suarez into a primary DH role, opening up more flexibility for the rest of the infield.
McLain’s torrid spring should give him the inside track for the second base job. Spencer Steer and top prospect Sal Stewart both have the versatility to play second or first base, while veteran Garrett Hampson is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Spring stats don’t always translate to regular season success, but McLain’s performance suggests he’s made the adjustments needed to bounce back from last year’s struggles. For a Reds team looking to take the next step, getting the McLain from his rookie year would be a massive boost.
