00:00I'm going with a guy that had a really rough year, but I'm still also keeping the candle lit for
00:06him, Matt McClain, for the Cincinnati Reds.
00:09And look, I don't like to put too much into spring training numbers, but when you have a little bit
00:13of a mechanical adjustment, McClain used to be very open with his stance.
00:18Now, closed and a little bit more simple, hands are a bit quieter, and he has just been on time.
00:23I think there's some struggles with his timing last year, and that resulted in a 29% strikeout rate and
00:30a 77 WRC+.
00:32Remember, in 2023, when this kid came up for his rookie season in 89 games, he produced 3.2 F4,
00:40hit 16 homers, and stole 14 bags.
00:42The reason why McClain was in the lineup every single day is because he's a superb defender and he's a
00:49great runner.
00:50That part of his game didn't change after, you know, tearing his shoulder and missing the 2024 season.
00:56I think that injury had some residual effects on him.
00:58I also think there's some mental aspects of just being able to, you know, feel like yourself again.
01:03If Matt McClain, he doesn't need to be a, you know, a 129 WRC+, like he was before in
01:092023.
01:09If he's a 115 with his defense and playing every day, and again, I think a little bit more power
01:15will be in there as well.
01:16I mean, this is a guy that could easily eclipse over 162 games, you know, a four and a half
01:21war.
01:22So I think this is a player that you look at the spring training numbers and the tangible adjustment.
01:28I'm going to buy into it a little bit more.
01:29He's 22 for 42 this spring.
01:32He's think 524 with six homers.
01:35He's on time.
01:36He's not chasing.
01:37Sitting the ball in the air, which he's always done.
01:39And then the defense and speed is always going to be there.
01:41I think McClain is going to be a lot better this year.
01:43And this is another lineup that's vastly improved his, his role, I think is going to be more mentally
01:48and the complimentary aspect.
01:49And I think that's going to help him actually be a little bit more of an aggressor offensively.
01:53I totally agree with you.
01:55This Reds infield could be sneaky.
01:58If Sal Stewart breaks out at first, McClain has the year that you're talking about.
02:01We know what Ellie De La Cruz should do.
02:03And Cabrian Hayes, he's not much of a hitter, but an incredible glove.
02:08Reds infield sneaky.
02:10Yeah, and I would pick Sal, but we've talked about him so much that I don't even think he's a
02:13breakout for us
02:14because it's kind of the expectation.
02:15And he was so good when he got up there last year.
Comments