CINCINNATI -- Call it bounceback attempt 2.0 for Reds second baseman Matt McLain in 2026.
As a rookie after being called up on May 15, 2023, McLain became arguably the best hitter on the Cincinnati roster. He didn't get to experience any of his sophomore season in 2024 because of a Spring Training mishap that required left shoulder surgery.
Bouncing back in 2025 proved difficult. The 26-year-old batted .220 with a .643 OPS, 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 147 games while striking out 167 times.
"I think it's probably the first time he's ever struggled, anywhere, and to do it at the Major League level is probably a hard place to learn," Reds manager Terry Francona said during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. "But he's a very competitive kid."
In 2023, McLain batted .290 with an .864 OPS, 16 homers and 50 RBIs in 89 games. That's the offensive player Francona believes he has. Even when he wasn't hitting, McLain still played high-level defense, with five outs above average at second base, all while doing many of the little things correctly.
"In my opinion, he's probably our best baserunner," Francona said. "I don't mean fastest, but I mean he always knows where the ball is. He runs the bases like a veteran. He plays second base, he knows where the ball is supposed to go. The ball jumps off his bat way more than you would think when you look at his stature.
"I think that shoulder -- you talk to guys that have had that, and they've kind of said the same thing. Like, 'I played, but it wasn't the same.'"
Offense, especially situational hitting in the late innings, was often a weakness for the Reds last season. Spencer Steer, also working through a shoulder injury but with his throwing arm, struggled mightily the first month. Elly De La Cruz lacked power throughout the second half. Tyler Stephenson's overall offensive numbers dipped and he missed time with a fractured left thumb. Will Benson struggled throughout and spent time with Triple-A Louisville.
Put it all together and it helps explain why Cincinnati finished the season ranked 19th among Major League clubs with a .706 OPS.
After opening the 2025 season batting second, McLain was moved down by Francona to the lower third of the lineup for much of the second half and he often batted ninth.
Even as the Reds search for more offensive help in the offseason, McLain will still be among those who will be counted on internally to provide more boost for the lineup in 2026. Cincinnati is trying to build from an 83-79 season that helped the club earn the final National League Wild Card spot. Next year, the Reds are aiming much higher.
"I know I was stubborn early on with him. It's just because I believed in him so much, and I still do," Francona said. "There's a really good player there. I think being a year removed from that shoulder, I think we'll see that."