Why Matt McLain Should Stay at Second Base for Cincinnati Reds in 2025
The Cincinnati Reds are at a crossroads as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming MLB season. Matt McLain’s versatility is under the spotlight, with discussions on whether his strong performance at second base should warrant a position change. Meanwhile, Nick Krall’s comments on prioritizing contact over power hitting spark debate, especially with the playoffs in mind. Jeff Carr breaks down Connor Phillips’ promising start in the Arizona Fall League, highlighting his 4 shutout innings and 7 strikeouts, which could be crucial given the Reds’ pitching depth issues for 2025. The episode also touches on the performances of other Reds prospects like CES and Matt McLain in the Arizona Fall League. Don’t miss out on this in-depth analysis of the Cincinnati Reds’ strategic decisions and player developments—listen now to gain unique insights into the team’s future prospects!
0:00 Matt McLain’s Position Dilemma
12:27 Reds’ Lineup Strategy Concerns
21:43 Connor Phillips’ Arizona Fall League Performance
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19 comments
I love matt McClain bc he looks like the always prepared guy on Eurotrip…one of my all time favorite movies 😂
The line drive hitters in GABP thing has not played out historically. If it did Donovan Solano would have crushed 30 homers in 2022. Didn’t happen. Wasn’t even on the high end of season home run production for him.
When they were playing together Elly has always played either 3B or SS and MM has always played either SS or 2B as far as I know. I’m sure MM can play third. I’m not seeing that happening long term though. You aren’t putting Elly at 2nd when/if Arroyo comes up and Arroyo probably isn’t being put at 2B. Then again… Arroyo has HoF glove skills at 2nd. I could be talking myself into this. LOL
If Elly is the SS, then Edwin Arroyo will be the 2B of the future, so instead of moving McLain next year when Arroyo is up full time…might as well move him now…and I believe McLain realizes Arroyo is the better infielder, and that is part of why he's willing to move to the OF.
It is time for the reds to change the name blues or pinks and become a softball team guys against women to win more games or quit baseball and send Francona back to Cleveland and close out shop like the NBA team and cancel Cleveland team also
MCLAIN IS A TRUE BASEBALL PLAYER!!!But HE GREAT AT second base PERIOD!!!❤
The red sleeping in a bed like a dead eating bread discussing what you said listening to the Jed and grow big head
However HOPE He CAN STILL HIT consists COMING OFF OF HIS injuries!!!Last year in SPRING TRAINING HE WAsn't HITTING GREAT😮
However HOPE He CAN STILL HIT consists COMING OFF OF HIS injuries!!!Last year in SPRING TRAINING HE WAsn't HITTING GREAT😮
I rather the hitters hit a dinger or a tator or a blast but not home runs
Believe before all this,MCLAIN was really the red's MOST consistent HITTING PLAYER ON THIS TEAM PERIOD ROOKIE YEAR'S❤😅
That is. a cheap build team look like like the Marlins and Tempa Bay Rays and Chicago white Sox and the dodgers
Believe before all this,MCLAIN was really the red's MOST consistent HITTING PLAYER ON THIS TEAM PERIOD ROOKIE YEAR'S❤😅
The reds should trade for both Ohatani and Aaron Judge and sign Roger Clemons and Gregg Maddox and Nolan Ryan
Nick Krall is correct. How many times this last year did the Reds have a man in scoring position with less than 2 outs and the next man up struck out?! Whereas 1 single would have brought them in. Going for nothing but power is a mistake. The top batter this year was 259! We should have a couple of batters around 300 at least, 259 should NOT be the top batter or near the top! Look at the best hitters (ave wise ) on the teams in the playoffs. I think a mixture of both would be the recipe.
McClain is an awesome player. But, like many Reds players, he strikes out way too much. Hopefully, Tito will definitely team wise address that.
Do we bring back Martinez? Do we sign a big talent starting pitcher, someone like Hendricks, Fried?
McLain could move to CF pretty effortlessly. Still think he’s the best option at SS and Elly at 3rd. All that is debatable. However, one thing the Reds desperately need is a prolific power hitter. Clear cut number 1 need.
In my opinion the comparison between McClain and India are wrong you should take 296 innings of Jonathan India and then compare them to Matt McClain and see what the numbers look like