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Matt McLain 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Young Stud Poised To Pop With Full Health
20 mins agoCincinnati Reds second baseman and shortstop Matt McLain hopes for a complete year on the field after missing all of the 2024 season due to cartilage damage and a labrum issue in his left shoulder. The 25-year-old reported that the injury occurred on a diving catch attempt during a Spring Training workout on March 18 and could not return despite optimism late in the summer. It was a massive blow after McLain batted .290 with 16 home runs, 14 steals, and an .864 OPS over 89 games as a rookie. That came after 12 HRs and 10 SBs with a .340 average in just 40 Triple-A contests too. Combine that five-tool profile with hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park and one can see why McLain's early NFBC ADP and RotoBaller rank remains around pick 90. Those in a spot to take a shot on him by then could be builds with a safe hitting foundation still punting arms or early pitcher builds that demand power-speed-average ceilings. ATC has him playing 126 games with 20 homers, 17 steals, a .256 average, and a .778 OPS. A hot start could see folks looking to sell high in case his repaired shoulder wears down over the course of the year.
