Why Matt McLain is the Reds' second baseman, and what that means for the infield.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. —During the 2007 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia headed into the player’s gate to report to work for the day. Pedroia, who’s 5-foot-9, forgot his ID that day, was stopped by security and denied entrance to the clubhouse.

The officer didn’t think that the undersized Pedroia was an actual big leaguer. Pedroia told the officer, “Go ask Jeff (expletive) Francis who I am,” referencing a homer that Pedroia hit off the Rockies starter two days earlier. A pumped-up Pedroia told the story to his teammates and to Francona. It fired up the group as Pedroia had three hits that night and the Red Sox won the third game of the series to take a 3-0 lead.

Even though Pedroia was a rookie, he gave the Red Sox some heart and soul.

“When I say that (somebody) has a little bit of Pedroia in him, that’s about as big of a compliment as you could ever give somebody,” Francona said on Sunday at Reds spring training.

Francona said that he sees some Pedroia in Reds second baseman Matt McLain.

McLain hasn’t shown quite as much moxie yet as the outspoken Pedroia, a four-time All-Star and the 2008 MVP, was known for. But Francona is already well aware that McLain is a “baseball rat,” and he’s well aware of the impact that McLain has on the Reds’ lineup when he’s healthy and playing his best.

The 2024 Reds had their issues during a disappointing season. Bad defense and base running. Not enough quality at-bats. Not enough situational baseball.

Those are McLain’s strengths, and those qualities were on full display in 2023 when McLain was the Reds’ best player.

McLain missed the entire 2024 season after having shoulder surgery. He hasn’t played a big league game since August of 2023, and there should be an inevitable adjustment process for McLain to get back into a rhythm.

Francona and the Reds aren’t concerned about McLain having too much rust.

“The thing about Matt is that no one is worried about him,” Spencer Steer said. “He’s just a ball player. You can take a year and a half away from him. He’s still going to hit the ground running and be who he is. That’s something he was gifted with. He’s a huge part of our lineup.”

Francona said that McLain will only be playing second base this spring on Sunday, which is notable because the Reds traded for the Dodgers’ every day second baseman from 2024 in Gavin Lux.

There was speculation that the Reds could try McLain out in the outfield or at third base because his athleticism gives him some versatility.

But Nick Krall’s vision to build the Reds, which Terry Francona views similarly, is by building up the middle.

Lock in Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and Matt McLain at second base.

The Reds haven’t wanted to move De La Cruz around the field, and McLain is now in a similar position. Just like a football team does what’s in its power to set up its franchise quarterback for success, the Reds are doing what’s in their power to put De La Cruz and McLain to be the most impactful players on the field.

“In fairness to (Matt) and trying to keep him healthy, we’ll keep him at second,” Francona said. “If there comes a point where we have to make an adjustment — anywhere, not just him — we’ll do that. But if you want to let players get their legs under him and get some reps under him. If you start moving guys too fast, I’m not sure you're not setting them up for success.”

If McLain stays healthy, then he has a good chance to be an All-Star. In 2023, he was on the best all-around second basemen in MLB. He also led the Reds in batting average (.280) and OPS (.864). He was on pace for 29 home runs and 25 stolen bases over 162 games, and he was playing terrific defense.

The hurdles he’s facing are injury related. He played in the Arizona Fall League in October to make up for some reps that he missed, but every player coming back from shoulder surgery goes through a process to get back to full strength.

McLain’s history of oblique injuries is arguably even more pressing. He’s considered a “tightly wound” athlete. He has to become more flexible to avoid soft tissue injuries, and he and the Reds have had a plan to improve in that area.

What it looks like during the season is yet to be seen. But in the eyes of Francona and his teammates, there’s not much doubt over what a full-strength version of McLain can accomplish.

“I’m excited for him,” TJ Friedl said. “I can’t even imagine how tough last year was for him. Last year was tough for me, and I still got to play 80 games. He wasn’t able to play at all. I’m excited for him to play his game. All he ever does is help us win. In 2023, he helped us in every situation. Having him back makes us a lot stronger.”

With McLain at second base and De La Cruz at shortstop, the Reds will see what they have during spring training before finalizing their plans at first and third base.

Jeimer Candelario looks like he’ll have the first shot to make a bid to be the Reds’ every day third baseman. He started there last season, but Francona acknowledged that knee tendonitis prevented the Reds from seeing Candelario’s true defensive capabilities when he’s healthy.

Francona was impressed by the shape that Candelario was in as the veteran reported to spring training, and Candelario will be in the mix at some corner infield position at a minimum.

Gavin Lux has even more to prove defensively. He lost his spot as the Dodgers’ shortstop because of his arm, which gives him something to prove at third base. Lux will mostly play second and third base early in the spring, and he’s an option to be the DH. He could also get exposure at first and in the outfield at some point.

“Asking him to play left field, first base, third base and second base in the first week of camp, I don’t think that’s putting him in the best position to succeed,” Francona said. “We’re on the same team. This isn’t the time to test his manhood… I don’t know that that’s fair. Let’s get his legs under him.”

Christian Encarnacion-Strand has lost weight and gotten more athletic, which gives him more versatility and ability to make an impact at third base. But he hasn’t played that position much since 2022.

Steer is an option at first base as well as in the outfield, but right now he’s battling shoulder soreness. The injury impacted him last season, and he gutted through it. For now, he’ll mostly be DHing and playing first base without throwing. They’re having him man the position defensively without asking him to make the throws that first basemen make so that Steer can get reps. When he’s healthy, he’s probably the Reds’ best defensive first baseman.

Third baseman Noelvi Marte is competing for a roster spot. Santiago Espinal is the best infield defender among this group. While he offers less at the plate than these other players, he’ll have a role in 2025.

For more of Charlie’s coverage of spring training, stay posted here. Also, look out for some upcoming features with Cincinnati Magazine.