It’s hard to think about a team that has enjoyed more impactful breakthroughs by rookie players in 2023 than the Cincinnati Reds.
The team is 63-59 and just 2.5 games out of first place, and it’s mainly because their rookies have stepped up big time.
Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Andrew Abbott, and Matt McLain, just to name a few, have carried the Reds and made them legitimate postseason contenders.
McLain in particular has been both consistent and impressive.
He has a knack to hits extra-base hits, as he has 23 doubles, four triples, and 13 home runs in just 358 plate appearances.
He is a strong candidate to fight for the Rookie of the Year award in the National League.
“Matt McLain rips his 13th @Reds homer out at 107.6 mph. He leads all qualified NL rookies in AVG (.297), OBP (.362), SLG (.514) and OPS (.876),” MLB Pipeline tweeted.
Matt McLain rips his 13th @Reds homer out at 107.6 mph.
He leads all qualified NL rookies in AVG (.297), OBP (.362), SLG (.514) and OPS (.876): pic.twitter.com/pe4YWYyVyr
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 17, 2023
Simply put, McLain leads all rookie-eligible players in the triple slash line, and that’s no small feat.
He is hitting close to .300, getting on base more than 36 percent of the time, and slugging over .500… what else can a rookie ask for?
He has also been steady on the field and is just 24.
In other words, the Reds have a quality building block for the future.
Will he end up winning the NL ROY award?
There will be some tough competition, but a solid performance to close out the season might put him in pole position.
It would definitely be cool to watch him play against the best of the best in the postseason.
NEXT: Elly De La Cruz Matched An MLB Legend With Rookie Feat