This Reds player has fans buzzing ahead of Opening Day

When it comes to the player Cincinnati Reds fans are most excited to watch on Opening Day, the options are nearly endless. How could you go wrong choosing one of the most exciting players in the game, in Elly De La Cruz? Or how about the electricity a fan favorite in Eugenio Suárez will generate by coming home? Andrew Abbott, Sal Stewart, and many others are all reasonable answers.

But the player fans should have their eyes on the most because of what he could mean for the 2026 season is Matt McLain, and the reason is clear.

After such a disappointing sophomore campaign, McLain is entering something of a make-or-break season. The Reds have a glut of middle infielders working their way through the system, waiting to take his job.

McLain won't go down that easily, however. He was one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball this spring, and while Cactus League stats don't hold much weight, it is something worth noting.

Matt McLain could be an X-factor for the Reds in 2026

McLain finally said the quiet part out loud. His recovering shoulder was the main reason for his drastic 2025 downturn, and while that's easy to say and hard to prove, his spring play is helping his case.

One can make an argument that Suarez or Sal Stewart will have the greatest impact on the lineup, but McLain is poised to fill a key role that would be difficult for either the veteran or rookie to handle. If he's truly back to his 2023 form, he'll fill the No. 2 spot in the order, batting ahead of De La Cruz, Suarez, and Stewart, serving as a key table-setter.

The impact of having a quality hitter in that spot can't be overstated. Not only does it put these key power bats in more situations where they can drive in runs, but it also makes it harder for pitchers to attack them, knowing they can't pitch around them due to the risk of creating a big inning with McLain already on base.

To that end, McLain could be the key wind that lifts Cincinnati's lineup from something that hovers around league average to one of the most formidable units in the league.

One game won't have any bearing as to whether or not he'll be able to achieve what the Reds need from him, but you can't deny that a big performance on Opening Day will have fans everywhere dreaming about what could be in store as the season unfolds.