Matt McLain’s slump has put Reds manager Terry Francona in the crosshairs

Just like all MLB seasons, every at-bat counts. And the Cincinnati Reds have had no choice but to make a tough — yet necessary adjustment. Matt McLain, once heralded as a cornerstone of the team’s future, has been quietly moved to the nine-hole in the batting order. It’s not a punishment, but a strategy employed by manager Terry Francona in hopes of preserving both McLain’s confidence and the team’s offensive momentum.

McLain’s bat, simply put, has gone ice cold. Through the first two months of the season, he’s slashing a disappointing .175/.269/.564 with six home runs and 18 RBI. What’s more alarming is his 31.1% strikeout rate, which ranks among the worst in Major League Baseball. Over his last six games, he’s managed just a single hit — a sign that any semblance of rhythm has completely vanished.

Matt McLain’s woes at the plate force Reds to prioritize contact over power

For a player once pegged as a major contributor, the drop-off is both stunning and painful to watch. McLain’s ability to square up velocity and hit to all fields made him a natural fit for the two-hole. But that role has now been handed over to Santiago Espinal — a player who, while not flashy, has at least been dependable.

Espinal’s .253/.312/.617 slash line doesn’t scream All-Star, and his power numbers are virtually nonexistent with zero home runs on the year. But what he’s brought to the Reds lineup (until recently) has been something McLain currently cannot. Consistent contact. He’s not striking out at alarming rates, and he’s putting the ball in play, giving the offense a chance to move runners and manufacture runs — something that’s been sorely missing from McLain’s approach.

This isn’t a change Francona wanted to make — it’s a change he had to make. Managing a struggling young player is a delicate balance. You want to give them the reps they need to work through their issues, but you can’t afford to let one bat drag down the entire lineup. Batting McLain ninth allows him to stay in the lineup, see pitches, and potentially get right without being thrust into the pressure of run-producing spots.

If the Reds hope to contend down the stretch, they’ll need McLain to find himself — and fast. Until then, the bottom of the lineup is his home. Not because it’s what anyone wants, but because it’s what the team needs.

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