Matt McLain has been named as the National League Player of the Week. The Cincinnati Reds rookie took home the honors in just his second week of his big league career, and it was one heck or a week, too.
McLain played in seven games across the series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals and then on the road against the Chicago Cubs and had a hit in each game. He also managed to get on base at least twice in every single game.
The 23-year-old infielder went 15-31 with three doubles, two home runs, nine runs scored, and drove in seven. He posted a .484 average to go along with a .543 on-base percentage, and he slugged .774. For those of you who don’t want to do the math, I’ve got your back – that’s an OPS of 1.317 for the week against two divisional opponents. All of that production helped the Reds go 5-2 against the Cardinals and Cubs and climb their way into third place in the National League Central division.
That how week helped push Matt McLain’s line through 12 games to .380/.456/.600 on the year. That will play.
As for the Cincinnati Reds – this is the first time since the 2019 season that a rookie position player in the organization has earned player of the week honors. When that happened it was also a rookie who had almost no playing time in his career up to that point. Aristides Aquino’s hot start in August of 2019 got him the nod back then.
Didn’t Senzel get one earlier this year?
Words are difficult. I can’t read. It’s been a day.
Can you buy any of those excuses from me? At least one of them is true.
*runs to edit*
Awesome week for McLain. But that last paragraph can’t be quite right. First time for a rookie in awhile?
I don’t read words good.
McClain was kinda the forgotten man with Steer, CES, and Elly getting most of the press before the season. And I don’t think he’ll fizzle out like Aquino.
Let’s hope he keeps hitting. The Reds don’t need anotherAquino flame out. McKeithan – no stance changes. Don’t emulate Turner.
The word on Aquino has apparently been translated into Japanese.
However they say “Offspeed, down and away” seems to have worked, too.
I’ll bet McLain will be seeing some new things on this trip.
I hope he keeps it going.
Boston is # 3 on the most hate-able list following the Evil Empire and the Curds. Mets are a close #4, tied with Houston.
#3? I don’t think I’d put them that high, though Fisk in game 6 bumped them up the list. Still dislike the Yankees more. And Brooks and the Orioles earn quite a few points as well.
Carlton Fisk alone, irrespective of his play against the Reds, would keep a team in the highly hatable ranks for generations.
Being the last team to integrate, 10 years after JR, doesn’t help the cause.
Faust, himself, was likely a Bosox fan.
Knowing your past comments about McClain I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not. Either way so far he seems to be the real deal.
Well deserved. Hoping it’s the first of many for MattyMc.
Took him whole two weeks? Talk about a late bloomer. 😀
He’s here!
He’s there!
He’s every-flipping-where,
Matt McClain
Matt McClain
Doug – you are going to have to give a course on how to spell these newcomers names.
Well deserved. McLain is a hit machine. Speed has him extending singles into doubles and dribbles into base hits (even playing fly outs off of defenders gloves!).
We will see some regression throughout the season as teams adjust. He will continue to improve his approach over the next season or two. Fun to watch! Congrats Matt