Rookies like Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz have helped the Cincinnati Reds become a contending team in 2023. Now, one more highly-touted prospect is on his way to Cincinnati.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who has devoured Triple-A pitching this season, is getting called up to the majors.
The news was reported by Robert Murray of Fansided.com on Sunday night.
Top prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand is being called up by the Cincinnati Reds, his agency Munger English Sports Management confirms.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 17, 2023
Baseball fans were excited by the news.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been freed!
Massive power potential here. Overly aggressive but contact skills are solid and doesn't K too much.
Immediate add in all leagues given his massive upside.#FantasyBaseball #ATOBTTR https://t.co/PFQkOQxBfG
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) July 17, 2023
CE-YES!
Might take some creativity to figure out the playing time situation, but excited to see him in the big leagues. https://t.co/q1x5yb9ZYZ
— Matt Wilkes (@_MattWilkes) July 17, 2023
And here we go…#Reds #ATOBTTR https://t.co/rtyewfzNvh
— Blog Red Machine (@blogredmachine) July 17, 2023
Don't know who plays where or when, but yeah, Reds not leaving anything on the table. Another top prospect comes up. https://t.co/P7msykmPWU
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 17, 2023
This move makes sense.
One, while Cincinnati was one of baseball’s hottest teams for several weeks leading to the All-Star break, the last few games have been much different. The Reds lost two of three games to the Milwaukee Brewers in the last series before the break, including a 1-0 shutout in the final game of the first half.
Things got no better in the first series of the second half. The Brewers shut out the Reds in both of the first two games. Milwaukee then completed the sweep with a 4-3 win on Sunday to move two games ahead of Cincinnati in the National League Central standings.
So, the Reds are hoping that Encarnacion-Strand will give them the same jolt that McLain and De La Cruz did with their callups in May and June, respectively.
Also, while nobody ever knows how a hitter will adjust to the Major Leagues, there’s nothing else for Encarnacion-Strand to move at Triple-A.
In 67 Minor League games this year, Encarnacion-Strand slashed at .331/.405/.637 with 20 home runs and 43 extra-base hits.
He’s also struck out in roughly 24% of his at-bats this season. Over 500 at-bats, that translated to about 120 strikeouts, which is more than acceptable for a player with Encarnacion-Strand’s significant power.
Furthermore, Encarnacion-Strand’s peripheral numbers are just as impressive as the numbers you’ll see on his stat sheet.
CES brings massive power to the table.
90th percentile EV: 106.8 mph
AvgEV: 91 mph
Barrel%: 12%
Z-Con%: 83.5%
Chase: 40%(35% since June 1)
Contact: 73%
Hits all pitch types well#ATOBTTR https://t.co/Fob8R8tV6b pic.twitter.com/hlBs5UH8WU— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) July 17, 2023
Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit .331/.405/.637 with a .440 wOBA and 153 wRC+ and 21 doubles/20 home runs in 316 PAs with Louisville. #Reds
Since May 26 (186 PA):
16.1 BB%
17.7 K% https://t.co/CE7iih48pc— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) July 17, 2023
Encarnacion-Strand has been used primarily as a first baseman this season. He has also played 16 games at third base, eight games at DH and a game each at both corner outfield positions. In 2022, he played mostly at third base.
