Matt McLain - Prospect Profile

Carlos Collazo - Baseball America - June 18: "McLain is undersized at a listed 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, but he is a dangerous hitter who is strong in his frame. He has a short, direct swing and consistently lines balls hard from gap to gap."

MLB - June: "McLain has matured physically since he was a high school prospect, adding more strength to his 5-foot-10 frame. He’s always had very good bat-to-ball skills with surprising power, but there’s even more pop in his right-handed swing now. His increased physicality has helped him in all facets of the game."

Prospects Live - May 31: "A shortstop now, McLain could end up at second base or centerfield at the next level. Right now, he makes his money with a selective hit tool. Some scouts believe there’s 70-grade speed here too. He’s a reliable defender, albeit not spectacular on the dirt."

Prospects Live - Mar. 18: "In the early part of the draft cycle McLain was in contention for top college bat on many boards. Few players are easier to project as a major league regular, but the questions around his power tool and long-term defensive position cloud the long-term outlook."

Michael Dault - Through The Fence Baseball - Mar. 13th: "He’s Ian Kinsler with more pop. McClain’s collegiate career has been impressive and put UCLA back to prospect gold status."

Kiley McDaniel - ESPN - Feb. 26th: "McLain was a first-rounder out of high school and has been a little up-and-down at UCLA, but there's plus hitting ability, above-average power potential, plus speed and a middle-of-the-field defensive fit."

R.J. Anderson - CBS Sports - Feb. 15th: "McLain has shown that he can hit for average and run, and that he should be able to stick up the middle (though it's possible he ends up at second or in center rather than at short). He's also flashed enough pop for some scouts to believe he'll develop at least fringe-average power."

Carlos Collazo - Baseball America - Jan. 26th: "McLain has a career 24.6% strikeout rate and a 6.7% walk rate so improving on both those marks will be helpful, as would showing more impact ability or usable speed."

Ian Smith - Prospects 365 - Nov. 8: "Easy, short right-handed swing shows a clear plus hit tool that works the gaps to all fields. Started to really tap into his power potential in 2020 summer league action, which will be something to watch this spring."

Matt McLain Videos

Matt McLain Prospect Video, SS, UCLA

Matt McLain on UCLA's six homers: 'Guys just having good Bruin At-Bats'

Amateur Hour: UCLA Infielder Matt McClain

Matt McLain Prospect Video, Inf, UCLA

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