Matt McLain will be the 1st of many Reds rookies to win NL Player of the Week in 2023

The hottest hitter in the Cincinnati Reds lineup over the past week has been Matt McLain. Actually, McLain has been the hottest hitter in the entire National League over the last week. On Tuesday, McLain was named the National League Player of the Week.

McLain joins Nick Senzel as one of two Reds that have taken home the award in 2023. For the week, he was 15-for-31 with nine runs scored, three doubles, two home runs, and an OPS north of 1.200. He became just the sixth Reds rookie in team history to be named the NL Player of the Week.

Not only is McLain a rookie, but he pulled off this feat in just his second week in the majors. But with the incredible Reds rookie class that could be emerging, are there other first-year players that could win the award this season?

Matt McLain will be the 1st of many Reds rookies to win NL Player of the Week in 2023.

Spencer Steer is an obvious candidate. The infielder has been incredible for the Cincinnati Reds so far this season. Steer has shown maturity and consistency at the dish and never seems to give away at-bats. Steer could catch fire and put together a week that could win him NL Player of the Week honors.

Elly De La Cruz, one of the top prospects in the sport, could take home multiple NL Player of the Week Awards once called up to The Show. De La Cruz has been one of the best hitters in the minors, hitting home runs, stealing bases, scoring runs from almost anywhere on the diamond, and driving runners in.

There are some pitchers who could be in line for NL Player of the Week honors as well. Brandon Williamson and Andrew Abbott look the part, don't they?If either lefty finds a consistent spot in the Reds rotation, both have the type of electric stuff that could lead to winning the award.

Matt McLain became the first Cincinnati Reds rookie to win the NL Player of the Week Award in 2023, but with the talent this organization has, he very well might not be the last rookie to win it this season.