It only took one swing for Matt McLain to delay this Reds prospect's MLB debut

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain finally got off the schneid with a solo home run during the seventh inning of Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He had not homered since the day after the All-Star break when he cracked a two-run blast against the New York Mets on July 18.

McLain has endured a tough season after being sidelined all of last year with a shoulder injury, and had been in quite the slump prior to his solo shot on Saturday night. Since July 19, McLain's hitting just .243/.288/.262 and had been relegated to the bottom of the Reds' batting order.

But even before the home run, McLain walloped two other balls on the evening — they just so happened to find the glove of the opposition. McLain grounded out in the second inning on a ball that came off the bat at 94.5 mph. He later smoked a grounder in the fifth inning as well. That left the bat at 102.6 mph.

It only took one swing for Matt McLain to delay Sal Stewart's Reds' debut

McLain's power-packed performance on Saturday could represent yet another opportunity for the Reds front office to delay Sal Stewart's promotion to the big leagues. The organization's top prospect keeps hitting at Triple-A Louisville, but finding a defensive home in the Reds' lineup could prove difficult.

Stewart has experience at three of the four infield positions, though it would seem he's most comfortable at third base. It appears highly unlikely, however, that the Reds would be willing to sit their Gold Glove Award-winning third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. Stewart's best chance to find a spot in the everyday lineup would be at first or second base.

Spencer Steer has come up clutch at times this season, but his bat has generally been below average. His glove, however, is among the best in the game at his position, and with Terry Francona's emphasis on defense, seeing Stewart supplant Steer at first base seems unlikely.

Most Reds fans have been clamoring for weeks to see Stewart take over for McLain at second base. McLain's home run, however, might be enough to jumpstart his struggling bat and persuade the Reds' brass to keep Stewart in the minors a little bit longer.

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