Reds' McLain Raking in Spring Training
Matt McLain is crushing Spring Training, with a .607/.667/1.179/1.846 slash line, 5 HR, and 12 RBI in 28 ABs—described as "absolutely insane" [https://x.com/i/status/2032108385277980741]. Can he keep this up into the regular season?
McLain is seeking a bounce-back season after a disappointing 2025 where his numbers dipped to .220 BA and .343 SLG. This followed a promising rookie year in 2023, where he posted an .864 OPS and 127 OPS+. After missing 2024 with injuries, McLain came into 2025 with high expectations that he couldn't quite meet. In his first five Cactus League games, McLain went 8-for-14. One of his homers against the Cubs was clocked at 109.2 mph with a projected distance of 412 feet. Another went 421 feet to right-center field. McLain focused in the offseason on hitting low-and-away breaking balls and is using a quarter-inch longer bat. His spring training performance has already caused his NFBC ADP (average draft position) to drop to pick 160 in the last two weeks.
