Reds infielder Matt McLain he has suddenly increased his various defensive powers. On Tuesday, he entered the game with a hit and sat in the center of the field. That was his first major league appearance in that position. Yesterday, he did his first job in the center.
It’s a quick transition from idea to implementation. Just last week, manager Terry Francona suggested that McLain cut fly balls up the middle, according to Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie’s Chalkboard. “Just have fun with it,” Francona said. “No one has a crystal ball.”
McLain seemed game, telling Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer that he had done pregame work earlier, just for fun. And when the captain took care of it, he began to do the work with determination. “The schedule can be different every day,” McLain said. “So when Tito says go get fly balls up the middle, go get fly balls up the middle.” Just a few days after these talks, Dane Myers hit the injured list, it’s off the club right swing center field option.
TJ Friedl He’s currently the team’s top striker, but he’s a lefty. Friedl’s career split is neutral but he has a lot of luck on balls against southpaws. His strike rate, walk rate and individual strength are all better for the team’s benefit. Myers and Friedl have been working on this spot, but Myers’ injury has opened up an opportunity for McLain, who is swinging well.
As mentioned, McLain had never played center in the majors before. He still hasn’t played in the juniors. He previously played center for UCLA but has been a center fielder since being drafted. His only field work since being drafted was in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, where he played in three games.
It’s too early in the testing to tell if it will work or not. If it pans out, it could help McLain stay on the roster, even if it’s like a short team. Not too long ago, he looked like he would be a staple of Cincinnati’s roster. In 2023, splitting time between second base and shortstop, he hit 16 home runs and stole 14 bases. He hit .290/.357/.507 with a 129 wRC+. That was fueled by a .385 batting average on balls in play but that was his age 23 season. Some setbacks will come in the luck department but continued development could affect that somewhat.
But shoulder surgery ended his 2024 and he hasn’t been as productive since. He has a .212/.299/.342 line and a 77 wRC+ since the start of the 2025 season. Edwin Arroyo he’s been getting a lot of playing time at second base, even though he hasn’t been a good running back. He has a .268/.321/.310 line and a 74 wRC+ so far in his big league career. But that’s a small sample of 79 plate appearances and he had a great .323/.383/.562 showing in Triple-A, so the Reds probably want to let him play and see if he pans out.
McLain, despite his usual struggles, has been hitting well enough. The righty swinger has a .225/.342/.361 line and a 98 wRC+ since the start of last season. That includes a .218/.368/.382 line and a 112 wRC+ this year, despite a dismal .231 batting average on balls in play in that split. He draws walks in 17.1% of his plate appearances against southpaws while striking out just 18.6% of the time.
If Arroyo continues to struggle, perhaps McLain ends up back at second base, but center field exploration gives him another way to carve out a useful role in the lineup. He was eligible for compensation last winter as a Super Two guy and is making $2.3MM this year. He is controlled for three more seasons after this one but will get a raise every year, as player salaries are almost constant in the arb system.
Photo courtesy of Katie Stratman, Imagn Images
