Matt McLain - Fast Mover?

[RedTeamGo!]

McLain got called up to high A Dayton today and is currently 2-2 with a HR and single. Is he looking at A+ for rest of this year and starting next year at AA? Do we think he is on mlb roster starting in 2023?

[Tom Servo]

Probably a fast mover, yeah. Wouldn't surprise me if he's ready by around this time next season.

Hopefully he just stays healthy, unlike another certain first round infield prospect.

[Bourgeois Zee]

McLain got called up to high A Dayton today and is currently 2-2 with a HR and single. Is he looking at A+ for rest of this year and starting next year at AA? Do we think he is on mlb roster starting in 2023?

That's an aggressive time table, but it'd be great if that's what happened. Typically, the Reds are conservative with offensive prospects-- they play full seasons unless they're absolutely dominating the level. That would mean McLain plays at Dayton through next All-Star break, then moves to AA and AAA and the majors by the 2024 All-Star break. They may prove more willing to move McLain because of his pedigree, however.

(To be fair, they've shown a bit more willingness to move some prospects this season. Much of that, IMO, comes from the lost year due to pandemic.)

BTW, does this move mean McLain and Ivan Johnson are in a bit of a time share at SS, or will Johnson move to 2B?

[Mitri]

That's an aggressive time table, but it'd be great if that's what happened. Typically, the Reds are conservative with offensive prospects-- they play full seasons unless they're absolutely dominating the level. That would mean McLain plays at Dayton through next All-Star break, then moves to AA and AAA and the majors by the 2024 All-Star break. They may prove more willing to move McLain because of his pedigree, however.

(To be fair, they've shown a bit more willingness to move some prospects this season. Much of that, IMO, comes from the lost year due to pandemic.)

BTW, does this move mean McLain and Ivan Johnson are in a bit of a time share at SS, or will Johnson move to 2B?

I think it means Johnson eventually becomes trade bait.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I think it means Johnson eventually becomes trade bait.

If he's the .325/ .416/ .545/ .961 bat he's been the past month, I'm guessing they're fast-tracking him, not dangling him for other help.

Even if he's the .286/ .375/ .494/ .869 middle infielder he's been over the past three months, that has some monster value.

Johnson, Urbaez, Rey (to a lesser extent), India, De La Cruz-- the Reds are awash in interesting hitters up the middle.

[JaxRed]

That's an aggressive time table, but it'd be great if that's what happened. Typically, the Reds are conservative with offensive prospects-- they play full seasons unless they're absolutely dominating the level. That would mean McLain plays at Dayton through next All-Star break, then moves to AA and AAA and the majors by the 2024 All-Star break. They may prove more willing to move McLain because of his pedigree, however.

(To be fair, they've shown a bit more willingness to move some prospects this season. Much of that, IMO, comes from the lost year due to pandemic.)

BTW, does this move mean McLain and Ivan Johnson are in a bit of a time share at SS, or will Johnson move to 2B?

I think that RTG's timetable is conservative and yours almost unthinkably slow. I say there's at least a 50% chance he's in AA this season.

[RedTeamGo!]

I think that RTG's timetable is conservative and yours almost unthinkably slow. I say there's at least a 50% chance he's in AA this season.

I like the cut of your gib on this, but in no way is starting 2023 at MLB level conservative, lol. That would basically mean 1.25 seasons in minors, that’s next to nothing for a position player.

[Tom Servo]

Just singled again so he's 3-3 now. He's playing SS today with Johnson at 2B.

[SomeCallMeTim]

The more talent the better, but why does this organization have an penchant for only 2B, SS, 3B types?

I’d like to see some true OF’s or 1B types with size and power potential.

[kearns and dunn]

The more talent the better, but why does this organization have an penchant for only 2B, SS, 3B types?

I’d like to see some true OF’s or 1B types with size and power potential.

Ruben Ibarra says hi.

Just drafted Jay Allen high. Austin Hendricks was just drafted a year ago, he’s a power OF.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Ruben Ibarra says hi.

Just drafted Jay Allen high. Austin Hendricks was just drafted a year ago, he’s a power OF.

Rece Hinds too.

At the major league level, Jesse Winker's proven to be a prescient pick.

[UKFlounder]

SS?

The more talent the better, but why does this organization have an penchant for only 2B, SS, 3B types?

I’d like to see some true OF’s or 1B types with size and power potential.

[SomeCallMeTim]

SS?

In the context that if Barrero is the SS of the future where is this guy playing?

[Bourgeois Zee]

In the context that if Barrero is the SS of the future where is this guy playing?

McLain?

I guess it depends on how dominant Barrero is.

If he's the 900 OPS bat he's been this season, McLain is either going to get dealt, become a utility guy who plays 2B, SS, and CF, or he'll be a starter at 2B (unlikely) or CF.

He's played all of those positions while at UCLA and profiles to have enough talent to be good at them in case he struggles defensively at shortstop.

[Mitri]

McLain?

I guess it depends on how dominant Barrero is.

If he's the 900 OPS bat he's been this season, McLain is either going to get dealt, become a utility guy who plays 2B, SS, and CF, or he'll be a starter at 2B (unlikely) or CF.

He's played all of those positions while at UCLA and profiles to have enough talent to be good at them in case he struggles defensively at shortstop.

I hope they don’t pull the utility stunt with McLain. I think there’s a good chance he’ll get moved to 3B.