Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain features a high ceiling. In 2023, he hit .290/.357/.507 across 89 games played en route to a fifth place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He missed all of 2024 due to a shoulder injury, though, and did not look like the same player in 2025.

McLain appeared in 147 games last year, but slashed just .220/.300/.343. He did hit 15 home runs and steal 18 bases, but it was a step in the wrong direction from his 2023 performance. So, does McLain still believe he can be an All-Star caliber player in MLB?

"Absolutely, for sure," McLain said during a recent interview, via Joe Danneman. "I think missing that season hurt me. Everyone kind of told me, 'Take your time, be patient with it.' And I was pretty hard-headed with that. I got a taste of it, but I'll be better for it. It was a great learning experience.

"It's time to go. It's time to play baseball and be the player that I am."

McLain was once a highly regarded prospect in the Reds' farm system. He was looked at as a middle infielder who could hit for contact while adding some power from the right side of the plate. He was also known for his speed and potential stolen base prowess. Additionally, McLain offered defensive potential. 

He will play second base in 2026, but could receive some opportunities at shortstop whenever Elly De La Cruz needs a day off. The primary focus will be on his offensive production, however. Cincinnati wants to see if he can get back on track during the '26 campaign.

It's easy for people who are not playing to sit back and expect players to simply find success whenever they are on the field. Returning after missing an entire season is not a simple task, though. Starting pitchers who return after missing a season for Tommy John surgery are often given a grace period. That standard should be applied to position players as well, especially guys who only had 89 games of big league experience before suffering an injury. 

If McLain endures another down season in 2026, then a conversation may need to be had about his future with the Reds. There was a reason he was once considered to be a star prospect, though. McLain still features a high ceiling and it would not be surprising to see him bounce back.

Overall, the Reds' lineup is their biggest question mark heading into the new season. McLain can prove to be a difference maker if he finds his rhythm and ends up having a strong season.