At times this offseason, it has appeared that the Cincinnati Reds’ success will be closely tied to Matt McLain’s recovery from injury. If he performs well, they could contend for the division; if he struggles, few others seem poised to step up. Fortunately, Reds manager Terry Francona has high expectations for the young infielder, likening him to Dustin Pedroia.
The comparison isn’t far-fetched. Both are undersized Californians who were ranked the 77th-best prospect in baseball—McLain by Baseball Prospectus and Pedroia by Baseball America. Their impressive rookie seasons at age 23 also show striking similarities: McLain posted a .290/.357/.507 slash line with 3.7 bWAR, while Pedroia hit .317/.380/.442 with 3.9 bWAR. Reds fans will certainly hope those parallels continue.
Reds manager Terry Francona’s comparison may propel Matt McLain to new heights
Francona also noted that McLain will have an opportunity to solidify his role at second base this season, much like Pedroia did after an unsuccessful stint at shortstop. A full season of health and stability at the position could elevate McLain into one of the league’s top second basemen—a welcome development after the Reds’ rocky split with Jonathan India this offseason.
Throughout his time with the Reds, Francona has been clear in his expectations for the young roster. While talented, they must focus on discipline and fundamentals. McLain has already demonstrated resilience and determination in his comeback from injury—qualities that most closely connect him to Pedroia and could help propel both him and the team to success.
Reds fans will undoubtedly hope McLain follows a similar trajectory. Pedroia played a key role in leading the Red Sox to a World Series title as a rookie and went on to win the MVP Award in 2008. While such lofty achievements may not be expected of McLain just yet, he can certainly model Pedroia’s relentless work ethic and competitive spirit.
