The Cincinnati Reds have been a very entertaining team this season.
After losing 100 games last season, not much was expected from the team.
However, they have forced their way into the conversation for October as the season winds down.
Rookies such as Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain have been setting the tone for the Reds as they look to reach the postseason in a full 162-game season for the first time since 2013.
In fact, McLain is leading in an elite category among all qualified rookies in Major League Baseball.
Of all rookies, McLain has the highest OPS.
On Twitter, MLB Network posted a list of the top three OPS marks among rookies.
OPS leaders among qualified rookies:
1. Matt McLain (CIN) – .882
2. Corbin Carroll (ARI) – .856
3. Edouard Julien (MIN) – .855 pic.twitter.com/vMLiPUcDZ2— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 24, 2023
McLain currently has an OPS of .882.
Also on the list are Arizona Diamondbacks rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll and Minnesota Twins second baseman Eduoard Julien.
Carroll holds an OPS mark of .856 while Julien has an OPS of .855.
But it’s McLain who has the lead in that category.
The 24-year-old is having a very impressive season.
He is hitting for a .297 batting average with 15 home runs, 48 RBI, 13 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .366, and a slugging percentage of .516.
He and De La Cruz have helped carry the Reds on this magical journey which currently has them in postseason position, where nobody expected them to be at the beginning of the season.
The Reds are also just 3.5 games out of first place in the NL Central thanks to McLain and their young core of stars.
This mark may ultimately give McLain a chance at earning Rookie of the Year honors.
NEXT: Elly De La Cruz Had To Make Sure Shohei Ohtani Was Real