Reds: 3 shortstop prospects Cincinnati should investigate in MLB Draft

The Reds should consider several shortstops in the upcoming MLB Draft.

The Cincinnati Reds own the 17th overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft. Looking at a few mock drafts around the league, the feeling is that the shortstop position will be a popular pick in the first round. While it may be a popular pick in the first round, that doesn’t mean the Reds need to make a selection at shortstop with their first overall pick.

The Reds have not seen the production from shortstop this season that they hoped for. With Eugenio Suarez moving to shortstop from the hot corner, it has been a huge adjustment for the former All-Star.

Suarez has eight errors in 31 starts at shortstop this season. Kyle Farmer has been the most consistent player at the position this season. With 50 games starting at shortstop, Farmer has posted a fielding percentage of .982.

Other needs could be addressed in the first-round aside from the shortstop position. Looking deeper into the draft and maybe a little wishful thinking, these are the names you should remember if the Reds decide to draft a shortstop.

1. The Reds should take a closer look at shortstop Matt McLain.

MLB.com‘s 2021 MLB Mock Draft has five shortstops being taken before the Cincinnati Reds will even get to make a selection. One of those selections happens to be the shortstop from UCLA, Matt McLain. McLain, would be a steal if his name were to fall to the Reds with the 17th pick.

McLain received first-team Preseason All=-American and PAC-12 Preseason Player of the Year nominations before starting his 2021 campaign. McLain finished the year with a .333 batting average and recorded 36 RBIs in 183 plate appearances.

Looking at his fielding numbers, McLain ended the season with a .965 fielding percentage with seven errors in 47 games. If Matt McLain were to fall own to the 17th pick, the Reds should be tripping over themselves trying to secure the services of the Bruins’ shortstop.