Matt McLain looks forward to making Major League debut with Reds Monday night

Matt McLain after signing with the Reds organization in 2021. (Photo courtesy McLain family).

Beckman coach Kevin Lavalle reacts to promotion of former player.

Matt McLain surprised his mother Wendi with a special gift on Mother’s Day.

McLain, the former Beckman High School and UCLA baseball star, told his mother in a telephone visit he was going to be making his Major League debut with the CIncinnati Reds on Monday.

“He really gave his mom a great surprise on Mother’s Day when he called,” Mike McLain, Matt’s father told OC Sports Zone late Sunday night.

“I did speak with him and he is really looking forward to joining the Reds in Denver. We could not be more proud of him and all of his hard work.”

Wendi and Mike McLain planned to be on hand for the first pitch Monday night in Denver when Matt McLain makes his debut for the Cincinnati Reds against the Colorado Rockies. The Reds announced Monday that McLain would start at shortstop and bat second.

The 5-9, 180-pound McLain, the 17th overall pick in the first round in the 2021 Major League draft, was promoted from the Reds Triple A team in Louisville where he was batting .346 with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He is expected to primarily play shortstop.

McLain becomes the second player from Beckman High School in the Major Leagues. James Kaprielian is pitching with the Oakland A’s.

Playing in the Major Leagues has been McLain’s dream for years and in an interview with OC Sports Zone in August of 2021, he talked about his goals, should he join the Reds.

“Obviously, win a World Series and be the best teammate and best player I can be,” McLain said. “If I become the best version of myself, I’m going to reach my full potential and that’s all I can really ask for is to go out there every day and work as hard as I can get a little bit better and do it the next day and then eventually, all those accolades are going to come secondary. But more than anything, I want to win a World Series.”

Word of McLain’s promotion began circulating on Sunday and numerous media outlets reported that McLain would be joining the Reds Monday.

Beckman Coach Kevin LaValle informed Beckman followers on Twitter that big news was coming and confirmed the promotion Monday morning. The Reds also made the announcement official on Monday morning.

“I found out yesterday and I took this huge sigh of relief. I’m so happy for Matt and his family,” Lavalle told OC Sports Zone. “Can you imagine Wendi getting that call from Matt on Mother’s Day?

“People ask me about Matt and the truth is, he was the easiest player I’ve ever had to coach. Completely self motivated, incredibly talented, great parents, a great teammate …the list goes on and on. Even though all of that, nobody knew if he was going to make it this far. That’s true with any player that gets drafted.

“You have to stay healthy, you have to play well in the minor leagues, and you have to be in the right organization. I told all the scouts back in 2017-2018 that I have no idea how Matt compared to other players around the world, but I did know that whatever team that drafted him was going to get every ounce of effort from him. He’s just that type of player. 

“The beautiful thing for me is that everyone will see him take the field in Colorado, but I got to see it every day for four years.  The remarkable thing is that no one can even fathom the amount of work it took to become the player he is. Only Matt is responsible for that. He has tons of support and love from a lot of people, but he’s the one that did the work. 

“People continue to talk about the money he turned down in 2018 and then eventually being drafted higher and signing for a higher amount, but it was never about the dollars. It was about being prepared to succeed when his opportunity arrived. It was about today. 

“It has always been his dream to compete at the highest level of baseball in the world, and he made it come true. I’m unbelievably proud, and I think the City of Cincinnati is going to love him. 

“Everybody loves Matt, it’s impossible not to.”

McLain turned down a $2.6 million offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks when he was drafted out of high school in the first round as the 25th overall pick in 2018. He opted to honor his commitment to UCLA and play for the Bruins.

In July 2021, McLain signed a $4.6 million contract with the Reds organization.

The Reds are currently 18-22, five games behind division leading Milwaukee in the NL Central.

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—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com