The 2021 MLB Draft is loaded with high school shortstop prospects. Four of the top-eight prospects are shortstops from different prep schools. However, for teams that want a more polished prospect up the middle, they have Matt McLain of UCLA. Ranked 12th according to MLB.com, the shortstop is a little undersized at 5’11 tall, but he has added more strength since high school. The physical maturity brings his size to 180 pounds.
Scouts have already seen great potential in McLain, and he was drafted in the first round, 25th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2018 MLB Draft. His decision to opt for UCLA looked questionable after he struggled at times in his freshman and sophomore season. Still, he rebounded enough at the Cape Cod League and in 2021 to show he is a top-of-the-draft talent.
Strengths
Matt McLain’s offense, which was the reason he was drafted so high in 2018, is the best aspect of his game. His bat-t0-ball skills are exceptional, garnering a 60/80 grade. Although his power grade is average, he still has surprising power, especially for his size. Additionally, his added weight in college helped boost his pop.
In 60 games between the abbreviated 2020 season and the 2021 season, McLain hit .349 for UCLA in 241 at bats, up significantly from .203 in 217 at bats as a freshman. The added strength was evident as he totaled 32 extra-base hits in 2020 and 2021. For reference, he hit 19 as a freshman.
McLain also has a strong, accurate arm. His arm is the best aspect of his defense, and it’s 60/80 grade is tied with his hit tool and run tool as his best. As for his baserunning, he was 16/19 in stolen base attempts for UCLA.
Weaknesses
The two weakest tools in his skill set are his power and his defense. His defense was shaky coming 0ut of high school, and scouts weren’t sure if he would stick at shortstop. After working on his footwork and hands at UCLA, the consensus is that he will play the position long term. However, given his arm strength and accuracy, a transition to a different position should be a smooth one.
As for his power, that has been one of the weaker aspects of his game. Still, as mentioned, he has made strides as he has built size and strength to his profile.
MLB Comp
Matt McLain compares well to New York Yankees’ shortstop Gleyber Torres. Torres is a little bigger than McLain, but they are both on the small-to-average side in terms of size. He signed as a shortstop, but there were questions about where he would play coming up through the minors, and he arrived at MLB as a second baseman after also trying some third base in MiLB.
Torres has been shaky at times defensively, but his bat was always what stood out the most about his game. Don’t expect McLain to hit 38 home runs as Torres did in 2019, but both players drew reviews of being hitters first from scouts. As a prospect, Torres received grades of 65/80 for his hit tool and 55/80 for his power. While his ceiling was perceived to be slightly higher for each tool, his hit tool was equally as advanced compared to his power tool as McLain’s.
Whoever drafts Matt McLain gets a proven shortstop providing impact at the plate, on the bases, and to a degree in the field.
Players mentioned: Matt McLain, Gleyber Torres
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
