History of Matt McLain in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 27, 2026

Matt McLain is a professional baseball infielder currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds in MLB. He was drafted by the Reds with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft after playing college baseball at UCLA. McLain made his major league debut in 2023.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

August 6, 1999: Matthew McLain's Birth

On August 6, 1999, Matthew Michael McLain was born. He is an American professional baseball infielder.

2018: Top Prospect Award

During the summer of 2018, McLain played in the West Coast League for the Bellingham Bells, and was awarded the Top Prospect Award.

2018: Drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks (Did Not Sign)

In 2018, Matt McLain was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign and instead enrolled at UCLA.

2019: UCLA Freshman Season

As a freshman at UCLA in 2019, McLain appeared in 61 games, starting in sixty, where he had a batting average of .203/.276/.355 with four home runs and thirty RBIs.

2020: Season Cancelled Due to COVID-19

In 2020, McLain played in 13 games and batted .397 with four home runs before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 26, 2021: Signed with the Cincinnati Reds

On July 26, 2021, Matt McLain signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

2021: College Season Performance

In 2021, Matt McLain missed three weeks due to a fractured thumb, but still managed to hit .333 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 47 games.

2021: Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds

In 2021, The Cincinnati Reds selected McLain with the 17th overall pick in the MLB draft.

2022: Played for Chattanooga Lookouts

In 2022, Matt McLain played in 103 games for the Chattanooga Lookouts, slashing .232/.363/.453 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI.

May 15, 2023: Promotion to Major Leagues Announced

On May 15, 2023, the Cincinnati Reds announced that Matt McLain would be promoted to the major leagues for the first time the following day.

2023: MLB Debut

In 2023, Matt McLain made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Cincinnati Reds.

2023: Assigned to Triple-A Louisville Bats

Matt McLain was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the 2023 season where he hit .348/.474/.710 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 38 games.

March 26, 2024: Shoulder Surgery

On March 26, 2024, Matt McLain underwent shoulder surgery to repair the labrum and some damaged cartilage, resulting in an indefinite period of absence.