Matt McLain had one of the best spring training campaigns that we’ve seen in a long while. He posted a .553 batting average, a .605 on-base percentage, and a 1.105 slugging percentage for a 1.710 OPS. Those numbers convinced many that he was poised to turn things around in 2026 after an extremely disappointing prior season.
But we all know that the stats players put up in March mean precious little when the regular season begins. McLain had yet another extremely rough start to the season that saw all the all doubts pop to the surface once again. At one point in April, his season line had dropped to .195/.308/.293 and there were renewed calls to make a change. Just ten short days ago he was mired in the depths of an 0-17 slump.
But might that all be turning around?
Since May 5th, McLain is hitting .324/.410/.647 with a 1.057 OPS. During that stretch he has two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and six runs scored. He was 2/3 last night in the Reds 7-6 win over the Guardians, hitting another home run and driving in three. He also made a marquee defensive play to seal the win in the bottom of the ninth.
There have been a lot of understandably impatient Reds fans waiting on Matt McLain to put it all together. It hasn’t fully happened yet but the month of May has given a host of promising reasons why it may yet happen this year.
