Reds call up 2021 1st-round pick Matt McLain

The Cincinnati Reds selected infield prospect Matt McLain to the active roster, they announced Monday.

McLain will bat second and play shortstop in his MLB debut on Monday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

McLain, 23, is currently ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Reds' system and was the 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He's the No. 95 prospect in MLB, according to MLB Pipeline.

Through 37 games with Triple-A Louisville this season, McLain is hitting .346/.464/.713 with 12 homers and 10 stolen bases.

McLain was originally drafted as a shortstop. He still plays there primarily but has also gotten regular reps at second base. Kevin Newman, the Reds' incumbent shortstop, is hitting .222/.253/.300 with two homers and one stolen base.

To create room for McLain on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati moved first baseman Joey Votto to the 60-day injured list. The move is largely procedural, as Votto - who's yet to play in the majors this season while rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery - is eligible to be activated later this month.

The Reds also placed infielder TJ Friedl on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, and added left-hander Brandon Williamson to the taxi squad.