MLB Network hosts offers high praise for Matt McLain in light of latest rankings

Similar to 2024, the 2025 edition of the Cincinnati Reds is filled with question marks all over the diamond. Whether it is staying healthy, outfield production, or how well the Reds young core will perform, no one wants question marks littered throughout a roster to begin a season. Among those lies Matt McLain. Although he missed all last season with a shoulder injury, his 2023 rookie season provided strong optimism for the future.

MLB Network hosts Brian Kenny and Mark DeRosa analyzed their top 10 second baseman right now earlier this week, and provided plenty of hope for Reds fans. With Ketel Marte simultaneously sitting atop first place on each analyst's board, the injury plagued McLain was not far from the top.

DeRosa, who placed McLain in his seventh spot, three spots below Kenny, said "I would have put him higher, ... if anybody on this list has a chance to unseat Marte, it's him (McLain)." Kenny quickly agreed.

MLB Network believes Reds' Matt McLain could unseat Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte as best 2B in MLB

Although injuries have plagued McLain throughout his professional career, his 89-game rookie stint with the Reds deemed promising. The former 2021 first round pick slashed .290/.357/.507 with 16 home runs 50 RBI and 23 doubles after joining the Reds from Triple-A. He hit .390/.467/.688 over 40 games with the Louisville Bats including hitting for the cycle before his promotion.

While the Reds young core, led by Elly De La Cruz, is volatile, they are also incredibly inconsistent. Injuries have wrecked the last two seasons and unfortunately McLain's injury history is no different. McLain missed the remainder of the 2023 season after a right oblique strain suffered on August 27th.

After rehab and recovery, McLain underwent a surgery to repair his labrum which he injured during a spring training workout in mid-march. Initially, August or September was a tentative return timeframe set by the club, but a rib cage stress reaction suffered in early August, ruined his potential reunion with the club.

While McLain has a promising future ahead, he will need to stay healthy this season to provide the spark and stability he has proved capable of. The last two seasons have been rollercoasters within the Reds organization. With the constant revolving door of infielders the last two seasons, Reds fans hope McLain can meet or exceed expectations and become a top second baseman in the league.

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