Matt McLain has shown notable progress in the early part of spring training, thanks to a key equipment change. Last season, McLain struggled with pitches located down and away, which limited his offensive production. During a recent game against the Chicago Cubs, Reds broadcaster Jim Day revealed that McLain’s move to a longer bat has played a crucial role in addressing this issue.
From Discomfort to Confidence: How the Bat Change Helped McLain
Jim Day explained that McLain had difficulty handling pitches down and away last year. The Cincinnati Reds attempted to adjust his stance by having him stand closer to the plate, but McLain found this uncomfortable, feeling the pitcher was almost “behind him.” Instead, McLain switched from a 33 1/4-inch bat to a slightly longer 33 1/2-inch bat, a subtle but meaningful change. According to Day, this has led to positive results, including an improvement in McLain’s swing mechanics and a reduction in him opening his hips prematurely.
“He struggled a lot last year with the pitch down and away,”
Jim Day said.
“They experimented with him moving closer to the plate, but he said it was uncomfortable. He said it felt like the pitcher was kinf of behind him. So he switched to a longer bat. He went from 33 1/4 to 33 1/2. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lot for a hitter. The results have been good. He is no longer opening his hips.”
Further insight was provided by John Sadak, who noted that McLain’s new bat is not only longer but also lighter than his previous one. This combination is helping McLain better attack pitches down and away, allowing him to drive the ball to the opposite field with increased efficiency.
“They’ve been pitching him down and away during spring and he’s been shooting the ball the other way. It’s exactly what you want to see. It’s new lumber up there for McLain.”
John Sadak
Early Spring Training Results Suggest a Brighter Offensive Outlook
McLain’s early spring numbers reflect the benefits of this equipment change. In his first at-bat during Monday’s game, he drew a walk, and he currently holds a batting average of .500 with an OPS of 1.404. While these are early figures, if McLain can reach even average offensive production in the 2026 season, it would significantly boost the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup.
Potential Impact and What to Watch Moving Forward
The adjustment in Matt McLain equipment change hints at a potential turning point for his batting approach. With improved mechanics and confidence resulting from the new bat, McLain could contribute more consistently at the plate. This is particularly important for the Reds as they look to enhance their offensive capabilities following a challenging 2025 season.
As spring training progresses, monitoring McLain’s at-bats and his ability to handle tough pitches will be key indicators of whether this equipment change can translate into sustained success. For Cincinnati Reds fans and analysts, this development offers a hopeful sign that McLain could play a pivotal role in the team’s 2026 campaign.
