Reds’ first-round pick off to fast start with Dragons

McLain hit second for the Dragons on Wednesday against the Lansing Lugnuts and played shortstop. He singled in his first at-bat, hit a two-run home run in the third inning, singled again in the fifth and hit a three-run double in the sixth. McLain finished 4-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored.

Michael Siani added two hits, including a two-run home run, and James Free had two hits and three RBI.

McLain was the 17th overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior from Tustin, Calif., he was a three-year starter at UCLA. He hit .333 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs last season.

Joining McLain on the Dragons roster was outfielder Jack Rogers, the Reds’ ninth-round pick this year. Rogers notched his first professional hit with a ninth-inning triple.

The Reds also promoted second baseman Francisco Urbaez to Double-A Chattanooga. He ranked second in the High-A Central League with a .333 average.

THURSDAY’S GAME

Dragons at Lugnuts, 7:05 p.m., 980