2 Reds prospects who could lose their 40-man roster spots and 2 prospects who could replace them

Reds prospect Matt McLain could be added to the 40-man roster.

This isn't a matter of if, but when. Matt McLain has started out so well in the minor leagues this season that many Reds fans are clamoring for the club to just bite the bullet and call him up to the big leagues ASAP.

There's some merit to that argument, as it's not as if the current shortstops on the Cincinnati Reds roster are setting the world on fire. Kevin Newman is little more than a placeholder until McLain and Elly De La Cruz are called up, and Jose Barrero has struggled multiple times throughout his big league career.

That said, Barrero made som adjustments to his batting stance and his swing during the offseason and the Reds are allowing him the opportunity to show that those adjustments can transform him into a legitimate major league hitter rather than a strikeout waiting to happen.

McLain has been getting a lot of work at second base down in the minor leagues while De La Cruz has been getting the lion's share of starts at shortstop. It's hard to see the Cincinnati Reds moving Jonathan India off the keystone despite his defensive struggles in 2023.

If Matt McLain keeps punishing the baseball in the same manner that he has through the first month of the season, the UCLA product may get his chance in the big leagues prior to Memorial Day. McLain will snag a spot on the Reds 40-man roster and make his MLB debut very soon.