MLB analyst boldly predicts Reds rising star to unseat Ketel Marte as best 2B over Jose Altuve, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ozzie Albies

Cincinnati Reds rising star Matt McLain has incredible potential. Some believe he could even become the MLB’s best second baseman over household names like Jose Altuve, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ozzie Albies, and most notably, Ketel Marte.

During an appearance on MLB Network posted on Thursday, analysts Brian Kenny and Mark DeRosa looked at their top-10 list of the MLB's best second basemen. Both agreed that Arizona’s Ketel Marte was the league’s top player at second. But where things got interesting was when Kenny ranked Matt McLain as the fourth-best second baseman behind Marte, Marcus Semien, and Altuve.

While DeRosa ranked McLain seventh, he made the following bold prediction about McLain:

“He has a chance, if anybody on this list has a chance to unseat Marte, it’s this kid, right here.”

DeRosa’s animated signaling of McLain’s name on the board indicated how much he believes in the rising star’s ability. As a former major league infielder, DeRosa can recognize talent when he sees it. Meanwhile, Kenny echoed DeRosa’s assessment by stating:

“Completely agree. He’s going to be 25. He slugged .507 as a rookie. … If he stays healthy; he missed all of last year, was hurt for the Reds, he could be a superstar.”

McLain missed 2024 recovering from a shoulder injury after an impressive 2023 in which he played 89 games, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 50 runs. He stole 14 bases and registered a .864 OPS to go with a .290 batting average. Now healthy, McLain could play a significant role for the Reds as they look to make a run at the postseason in 2025.

Gavin Lux's trade raises questions about Reds’ infield

Earlier this offseason, the Reds traded for former Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux. Lux had cemented himself at second for the Dodgers this past season as the team went on to win the World Series.

Now in Cincinnati, it remains to be seen if Lux will take over the everyday role at second. If that’s the case, Lux’s arrival could move Matt McLain to another position. However, not much is known at this point regarding positional placements.

The Cincinnati Enquirer quoted Cincinnati team president Nick Krall about the situation, stating:

“We’ll figure that out in spring training.”

Krall discussed how the team plans to test Lux at different positions, including DH, to see where he could best fit:

“We’ll see where it is, see where he is defensively at all those positions.”

Given Lux’s track record, it’s likely he stays at second. Meanwhile, McLain is a much more versatile player. He’s played the outfield in the Arizona Fall League and has manned shortstop. Perhaps there might even be a move to third base for McLain.

Given how Krall pointed out the fact that the team got subpar WAR ratings from the corner infield positions, there could be a chance for McLain to find a new home in the infield. The competition for infield spots will be an interesting one to watch during the Reds’ spring training season.