According to one evaluator, McLain and Elly De La Cruz will be the best middle infield combo in baseball by the end of the season.

Feb 24, 2025; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Matt McLain (9) bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain, a Southern California native, continued his spring assault on the I-5 corridor with a 2-for-3 day against the Padres that included a sixth-inning leadoff double that led to the tying run when Elly De La Cruz followed with another double.

the Reds may have another great middle infield duo, with new nicknames: Batman and Robin. Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz claims he's Batman. That would make second baseman Matt McLain Robin.

Marté, the centerpiece of the previous season’s trade of ace Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners, popped as well. He made his debut as a pinch-runner and promptly stole third base, showing the fearlessness that Reds scouts saw when the team was negotiating with the Mariners.

With roughly three weeks until the season begins, it’s safe to say that the Reds have a decision to make on Noelvi Marte. He was 0-3 on March 2, has seven strikeouts in 15 plate appearances, and is batting .067. In 2023, he looked like a star in the making in 35 games, but has been on a downward spiral ever since.

Matt McLain doubled twice and homered to lead the way with three of the team's 15 hits in a 9-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

Elly De La Cruz drew a pair of walks, and Graham Ashcraft pitched into the third in his second start of the spring, but the Cincinnati Reds lost.

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McLain made his third Cactus League appearance, all coming as the second baseman. He's led off in two of those games, including Wednesday, and could be the leadoff batter against left-handers this season. The lefty-hitting TJ Friedl is expected to lead off against righties.

McLain was one of several exciting prospects to debut for the Reds during the 2023 season and he did not disappoint, hitting .290 over 365 at-bats. He also popped 16 homers and drove in 50 runs.