Matt McLain is producing again but he's still missing the one thing Reds need most

After missing the entire 2024 season due to left shoulder surgery, Matt McLain entered 2025 with a lot to prove. The Cincinnati Reds second baseman had to not only shake off the rust of a year-long absence but also re-establish himself as a cornerstone in a lineup desperate for production. And while the process hasn’t been seamless, there are finally signs that McLain is heating up at the perfect time.

McLain’s road back has been anything but linear. After a sluggish first half, his numbers are trending in the right direction. Since July 1, his batting average has climbed from .210 to .223, and in his last 15 games, he’s slashing .276/.328/.293. That line doesn’t scream dominance, but it suggests consistency. McLain is starting to square the ball up more, get on base, and manufacture runs with his legs and instincts.

But even with this mini-surge, one crucial element still feels missing, the power. In his rookie season back in 2023, McLain flashed a tantalizing mix of slug and speed that made him one of the most exciting young infielders in the National League. That version hasn’t fully returned.

Reds second baseman Matt McLain is trending up, but power remains a concern

Since July 1, McLain has only homered twice. His isolated power numbers are down, and the advanced metrics back it up: a 6.3% barrel rate, a .219 expected batting average (XBA), and a strikeout rate hovering at 26.7% — all numbers that hint at a player still searching for rhythm and authority at the plate.

To make matters more pressing, the Reds need that firepower now more than ever. Cincinnati ranks just 21st in Major League Baseball in home runs this season with 117 — not ideal for a team still trying to stay afloat in the Wild Card chase. The front office didn’t make any major splashes at the trade deadline, instead opting to reinforce the bullpen and add defensive versatility. That decision only magnifies the importance of internal breakouts, and McLain sits at the center of that spotlight.

The signs of life are there. He’s getting on base more frequently. He’s putting together better at-bats. And most importantly, he’s staying healthy.

McLain doesn’t need to carry the Reds on his shoulders, especially after undergoing surgery on one of them. But if he can rediscover even a portion of his rookie-year form, he could be the X-factor Cincinnati didn’t trade for, but already had.

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