Matthew Michael McLain is an American professional baseball infielder for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. The Reds selected McLain with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut in 2023.
McLain was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. McLain signed with the Reds on July 26, 2021.
McLain made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Reds and was promoted to the Dayton Dragons of the High-A Central. Over 31 games between the two teams, he slashed .283/.389/.462 with three home runs, 19 RBIs, and ten stolen bases.
For the 2022 season, he was promoted to the Reds' Double-A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts. In 103 games for Chattanooga, McLain slashed .232/.363/.453 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. McLain was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the 2023 season. In 38 games, McLain hit .348/.474/.710 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.
On May 15, 2023, the Reds announced that McLain would be promoted to the major leagues for the first time the following day. In 89 games for Cincinnati, he batted .290/.357/.507 with 16 home runs, 50 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. On August 28, McLain was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain. He began a rehab assignment with Triple–A Louisville on September 23, however he was shut down for the season on September 26 after aggravating the injury.
