Matt McLain might need the same wake-up call that fixed this Cubs rookie

Matt McLain was out of the Cincinnati Reds lineup on Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Even when the situation called for it in the ninth inning, Reds manager Terry Francona refused to use McLain as a pinch-hitter despite Garrett Hampson stepping into the on-deck circle with Cincinnati trailing 3-2.

McLain's role with the Reds has changed drastically since Opening Day. Prior to start of the 2025 season, McLain was seen as a key cog in the middle of Cincinnati's lineup. He's since plummeted to No. 9 in the Reds batting order, and his confidence appears to be shattered.

It time for the Reds to follow the Chicago Cubs' example and option McLain to Triple-A Louisville. Chicago did this with third baseman Matt Shaw after the rookie began the year hitting .172/.294/.241 through his first 18 games. Since returning from the minors late last month, Shaw is hitting .326/.383/.442, and as Reds fans saw last week, has turned into a stalwart defender at third base.

Matt McLain might need the same wake-up call that fixed Cubs rookie Matt Shaw

No two players are identical. What worked for Shaw may not work for McLain. But Francona's attitude toward McLain on Monday night speaks volumes. If the Reds' skipper is not willing to turn to McLain during a key moment of a one-run game, why is he even on the active roster? Honestly, the same question can be asked of Austin Wynns as well.

Francona told Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith that Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who's rehabbing at Triple-A Louisville, needs some more at-bats in the minors to get his timing down. "When he went down, he wasn’t swinging great. Then you lose some time. You try to use (the rehab assignment) to your advantage." If that's true, that same line of thinking should apply to McLain, right?

McLain hasn't just been bad this season, he's been terrible. Some fans will point to his improvements from April to May. That argument isn't entirely false, but McLain's OPS jumping from .404 to .565 is hardly worth celebrating. The Reds need McLain's numbers need to be more in line with his stats from 2023 (.290/.357/.507 with a 127 wRC+). Instead, the 25-year-old is hitting .175/.269/.295 with a 55 wRC+.

For those looking to keep McLain around because of his defense, either one of Santiago Espinal or Gavin Lux can fill in at second base. While both have played all over the diamond this season, the keystone is where Espinal and Lux shine the brightest defensively. Francona could even move Spencer Steer to second base and recall Encarnacion-Strand to play first.

Regardless of how the Reds' align the infield, at the moment, McLain has no business being part of it. Cincinnati will not find success this season unless McLain plays up to his potential, and the Reds' 29-32 record is a reflection of that. It's time for Nick Krall and the Reds front office to take drastic measures in an effort to turn McLain's season around. The Reds must option McLain to the minors.

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