Matt McLain's slow-start could have the Reds infielder regretting his cocky decision

With Matt McLain missing all of the 2024 season due to shoulder and oblique injuries, it's fair to call 2025 his second season in the major leagues. As such, it would seem that the dreaded sophomore slump has attached itself to the Reds highly-skilled infielder. McLain is hitting just .157/.280/.343 through the first month of the season.

Reds manager Terry Francona is hoping that a day off will help his struggling second baseman get untracked. McLain was out of the Reds starting lineup on Sunday, but Francona indicated he'll be back batting second on Monday when the St. Louis Cardinals come to town.

It's fair to wonder, however, if McLain is kicking himself for not negotiating a contract extension with the Reds this past offseason. McLain—in an attempt to bet on himself—chose not to engage with the Reds' front office about a long-term extension. That could come back to bite him if he fails to turn things around this season.

Matt McLain's slow-start could have the Reds infielder regretting his cocky decision

The Reds, no doubt, value McLain—otherwise they never would've approached him about a long-term deal. But Cincinnati was likely attempting to sign the 25-year-old to some type of bargain deal because of his well-documented injury history. McLain finished both the 2023 and 2024 season on the injured list, and even made a trip to the IL earlier this year.

McLain, however, wants to prove that he can stay healthy and put up the type of numbers Reds fans saw in 2023. That year, McLain hit .290/.357/.864 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI. McLain finished fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting that season, but if he had remained healthy, there's a chance he could've challenged Corbin Carroll for the award.

McLain hasn't recorded a hit since April 21 in Miami, and after a blistering start to the 2025, hasn't hit a home run since April 18. Since that time, McLain is hitting a paltry .097/.200/.097 with 14 strikeouts. Thankfully, his struggles at the dish have not effected his defense—McLain hasn't committed a single error this season and is worth 2 defensive runs saved (DRS) and 1 out above average (OAA).

McLain and the Reds will surely revisit contract talks in the near future, but if he fails to get his groove back (or winds up on the injured list once again), the infielder could be kicking himself for not engaging in contract talks earlier this spring. On the flip side, if McLain lives up to the caliber of player most Reds fans know him to be, he'll appear rather wise to have waited before talking about a long-term deal.

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