Reds News: Matt McLain scratched, RHP prospect flashes potential, Pete Rose honored

The Cincinnati Reds have some of their heavy-hitters playing out West. The Arizona Fall League began earlier this month, and Cincinnati is using the training ground as a bit of a primer for some of their injured stars. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, and Edwin Arroyo are all part of the Glendale Desert Dogs roster.

Encarnacion-Strand has shined during the early-going and is hitting .500 with seven RBI in AFL play. McLain has been on fire as well, hitting .667 with one home run and four RBI. But McLain was scratched from the Desert Dogs lineup on Monday afternoon.

Reds News: Matt McLain scratched from Arizona Fall League

When the Desert Dogs lineup was released, McLain was batting third and playing second base. But once the game began, the former first-round pick was nowhere to be seen. Matt's brother Sean McLain took over at the keystone and Zyhir Hope took Matt McLain's spot in the lineup hitting behind Arroyo.

There was no immediate update given as to why McLain was scratched from the lineup, but it will certainly be a story to follow in the coming days given the infielder's injury history over the past two seasons. McLain ended the 2023 on the IL and missed all of the 2024 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery last March.

Reds News: Pitching prospect Luis Mey hits 102 mph during Arizona Fall League

While Cincinnati's top-flight position players are getting most of the hype, there's a handful of talented Reds pitching prospects who are playing in the Arizona Fall League as well. Among them are Connor Phillips, Jose Acuña, and Luis Mey.

Mey is an under-the-radar prospect who's been in the Reds' farm system for quite some time. The right-hander has a live arm, and he proved it on Monday when Mey came in to close out the Desert Dogs' game against the Peoria Javelinas. Mey notched his second save of the AFL season with a scoreless ninth and recorded at least two pitches of 101 mph or more. Mey could be a sneaky addition to the Reds 40-man roster this offseason.

Reds News: Pete Rose honored at Great American Ball Park

As expected, the Reds plan to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Pete Rose during the 2025 season. The Reds' legend recently passed away at the age of 83, and the organization will look to honor Rose during the upcoming season in the same way they did with Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan, and Tom Browning.

Rose's No. 14 will adorn the left field wall as it has in year's past for Robinson, Morgan, and Browning. The Reds have also unfurled a giant banner of Rose with the caption '14 Forever' outside Great American Ball Park. This is likely just the beginning of what will be a season of remembrance for one of the all-time Reds' greats.

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