2025 Player Outlook

We didn’t get to see Matt McLain due to a shoulder injury, but he’s played in the Fall League, so he should be there for Opening Day. The team is contemplating moving him to the outfield, which could give him another position to his eligibility that already includes second base and shortstop. Assuming he’s healthy, there might be some rust that needs to be shaken off, but McLain is a professional hitter who should be able to contribute across the board in the top-half of the Cincinnati lineup. He could be a 20/20 or even 25/20 guy with a .270 average this season, and I wouldn’t bat an eye, especially if he can cut back on the strikeouts a bit (28.5 K% in 2023).