3 Reds infielders that should consider a switch to the outfield

Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitee infielder Matt McLain.
Cincinnati Reds non-roster invitee infielder Matt McLain. | Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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2. Reds SS Matt McLain should be moved to the outfield.

The Cincinnati Reds seem rather bullish on the idea that Matt McLain will be a major league shortstop. There's nothing wrong with that, exactly, as the UCLA product spent the majority of collegiate career at shortstop.

But, McLain does have experience playing center field. During his freshman year with the Bruins, McLain played 50 games in the outfield while also playing 11 at the hot corner. If nothing else, the Reds should at least experiment with McLain on the outfield grass.

This will not be a popular take after watching Nick Senzel crash and burn after Cincinnati moved their former first-round draft pick from third base to the outfield. But the truth of the matter is that Senzel's injury history began long before the Reds moved the University of Tennessee alum to center field.

While McLain doesn't possess Billy Hamilton-type speed, but he runs well enough to track down balls in the outfield; especially at Great American Ball Park. McLain also has an above-average arm that profiles well enough for him to make the necessary plays from the outfield.

The Cincinnati Reds seem set at second base with Jonathan India. Spencer Steer is reportedly going to get a long look at third base this year, and with Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte knocking on the door, perhaps it's time to transition Matt McLain from a shortstop into a centerfielder.

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