since 2002

Matt McLain or Jordan Westburg

SS Age: 25 Bats: R Throws: R

Next Season

2025 Projection
BARHRRBISBOPS
.290109278424.864

Rank (preseason)

76 ADP
6 2B

Career Stats

Matt McLain
ABBAOBPOPS
365 .290 .357 .864
Last 3 Years
YrABRHRRBISBBAOBPOPS
2022---
2023 365 65 16 50 14 .290 .357 .864
2024---

Key Splits

 ABBAOBPOPS
home 161 .304 .381 .977
road 204 .279 .338 .774
day 128 .336 .422 .992
night 237 .266 .320 .793
vs RHP 273 .278 .348 .821
vs LHP 92 .326 .386 .995
none on 217 .309 .367 .897
risp 44 .341 .420 1.193
loaded 4 .750 .800 2.300
April---
May 61 .361 .426 .967
June 115 .287 .333 .881
July 94 .277 .382 .861
Aug 95 .263 .314 .777
Sept---
3B Age: 25Bats: R Throws: R

Next Season

2025 Projection
BARHRRBISBOPS
.26381188211.767

Rank (preseason)

80 ADP
7 2B

Career Stats

Jordan Westburg
ABBAOBPOPS
624 .263 .312 .767
Last 3 Years
YrABRHRRBISBBAOBPOPS
2022---
2023 208 26 3 23 4 .260 .311 .715
2024 416 55 18 63 6 .264 .312 .793

Key Splits

 ABBAOBPOPS
home 304 .286 .340 .814
road 320 .241 .284 .722
day 242 .310 .356 .943
night 382 .233 .283 .655
vs RHP 450 .267 .308 .768
vs LHP 174 .253 .319 .762
none on 368 .242 .301 .711
risp 61 .230 .258 .783
loaded 14 .214 .368 .654
April 90 .311 .361 .917
May 90 .278 .347 .836
June 119 .277 .317 .813
July 157 .229 .271 .717
Aug 78 .269 .310 .682
Sept 78 .244 .298 .683

So, Who's Better?

DFS Contests

First off, both these guys have solid multi-position eligibility. McLain plays both 2B and SS while Westburg covers 2B and 3B. This profile compares their 2B value but generally applies to all of their positions.

In most DFS Leagues (eg, FanDuel and DraftKings), McLain will be listed as a 2B though he played SS before Elly broke in. McLain has 25 HR / 25 SB potential and with a quick, short swing can be a legit stud for years...especially playing in Cincy. He unfortunately suffered a shoulder injury in 2023 that lingered into spring training of 2024. It never got better and he ended up having labrum surgery and missed all of 2024. He's fully healthy now we expect him to get the majority of playing time at 2B. Regarding DFS splits, he hits much better at Great American Ballpark (shocker) and during day games. Give him the edge during those starts.

Westburg has about one full season's worth of at-bats to his MLB ledger. He really started to make his mark in 2024 and heading into 2025, should be the first option at third for the Orioles (with 2B eligibility for the full season). With DFS, he has fairly large gaps in splits -- also expect better numbers during home, day games.

Roto Leagues

These two are previous first-round draft picks and in their mid 20s -- so, a TON of potential. Further, their eligibility at 2B gives them a bit more value for 2025. Of the two, Westburg is the safer pick as his playing time at third is just about a lock. McLain's near term future is a bit murkier. The Reds picked up Gavin Lux in the offseason and he'll certainly snag some of the starts at second. We expect the Reds to ultimately give the full-time job to McLain, especially after he proves his shoulder is at full strength. Expect a big second half from Matt.

Westburg proved himself in 2024 and he's first in line at third base. He also showed he can adjust to major league pitching and ended up with solid overall splits. Just one of the Orioles' young studs, that lineup is ridiculously stacked and that should result in plenty of run and RBI opps, even in the lower third of the lineup.

Bottom line, we generally like McLain's approach a bit more than Westburg so give the slight edge to him. Short, compact swings always play, especially with easy pop to the opposite field in Cincy. Draft McLain over Westburg but be aware of the slight injury and playing time risk.

What's your take?