Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain, who is currently rehabbing in the Arizona Fall League, is making a drastic change Tuesday: He’s starting in center field for the first time as a professional player.

Red Legs Nation there was more:

The current Glendale Desert Dogs roster is in the Arizona Fall League and McLain starts in center field. It’s almost impossible that this wasn’t at the request of the Reds, who should certainly approve of McLain playing “out of position.”

We also echo these sentiments. The Reds are certainly overseeing the rehabilitation of McLain, who is one of their most valuable young assets. What’s more interesting is the motivation behind it. Are the Reds considering moving McLain to the outfield? Or are they just trying to boost its versatility by 2025?

The Reds have Jonathan India, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer and Jeimer Candelario as infield options, so perhaps a move of McLain to the outfield would be the best way to break the logjam, but this is just speculation at this point. .

McLain was one of several exciting prospects to debut for the Reds during the 2023 season and he did not disappoint, hitting .290 in 365 at-bats. He also hit 16 home runs and drove in 50 runs. McLain also stole 14 bases and posted a .357 on-base percentage. He missed the entire 2024 season with shoulder and rib injuries.

McLain is a former first round draft pick Reds in the 2021 UCLA draft.

He played center field during his freshman year in college.

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