Rookie of the Year candidate Matt McLain is heading to the injured list, at quite possibly the worst time. The news of McLain suffering an oblique strain is just the latest run-in of bad luck for the young Cincinnati Reds. He has been one of, if not the most consistent Reds hitter in 2023. After starting the year in Triple-A, he has been a bright spot since his call-up in May.
Matt McLain will miss some time pic.twitter.com/wj0juhdzrv
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 28, 2023
As a rookie shortstop, the 2021 first-round pick has been slotted in the Reds lineup night after night. Not only playing shortstop, but being able to move over and play second base has shown his versatility. The way McLain has played this year has put him in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Or at least it should have. But now with his latest injury news coming out Monday night, does this all but bury the idea all together?
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Reds Rookie of the Year Hopes May Be Crushed Following Injury
The Cincinnati Reds have had a total of eight National League Rookie of the Year winners in their franchise history. The most recent was Jonathan India in 2021. Although McLain wasn’t the frontrunner for the award in 2023, he was definitely making some noise at the top.
Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks is the leader among all major sportsbooks for the award as we stand in the final week of August. Let’s take a side-by-side comparison of the D-Backs’ young slugger and the Reds’ talented rookie.
Matt McLain Category Corbin Carroll
.290 AVG .281
.864 OPS .884
.370 wOBA .376
128 wRC+ 137
16 HR 22
3.3 fWAR 4.9
89 Games Played 126
403 Plate Appearances 516
The biggest difference between the two players is the games played. With Carroll already having 30 more games this year under his belt compared to McLain, it was going to be an uphill battle. However, it still could have been conquered. A hot streak by McLain could have made this even more interesting down the stretch. All things considered, with the Reds shortstop on the injured list for the next ten days, the difference in games played just can’t be overcome.
Award Winner or Not, Matt McLain Has Been A Bright Spot In 2023
The good news for Reds fans is Matt McLain has shown the type of player he is. In reality, McLain was not the Reds rookie expected to make noise in the voting. Now the Reds’ main focus needs to turn to how to stay afloat over the next ten days while he is unable to play. Spencer Steer appears to be the primary guy to slot into the second base position with McLain out. McLain gave Carroll a good run for his money in 2023. Perhaps 2024 can register the Reds’ next award-winning rookie.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
