Christian Encarnacion-Strand reintroduces himself to Reds fans in a big way vs Angels

There are a number of Cincinnati Reds players who need to have a bounce-back year in order for the team to find success in 2025. The Reds were decimated by injures last season with players like Matt McLain, Graham Ashcraft, and Nick Lodolo all spending excessive amounts of time on the injured list.

But another Reds player who'll be looking to find his groove in 2025 is Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The former Minnesota Twins farmhand was expected to be one of the big boppers in the middle of the Reds lineup last season, but a wrist injury crushed that hope in early-May.

Encarnacion-Strand got off to a rocky start, and after being hit by a pitch barely a month into the season, the slugger was placed on the IL. Encarnacion-Strand finished the year with a meager .190/.220/.293 slash line and only suited up for 29 games.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand reintroduces himself to Reds fans with monster HR

Expectations are heightened for Encarnacion-Strand this season, though he's currently in a roster battle with players like Jeimer Candelario, Spencer Steer, and Gavin Lux. Encarnacion-Strand gave himself a boost in the chase for a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster after sending a ball into orbit during the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Reds fans are hopeful that's Wednesday's titanic blast is sign of things to come. Encarnacion-Strand was the darling of Reds spring training two years ago after slugging 1.192 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 2023. Encarnacion-Strand followed that up with a five-homer, 15-RBI performance last spring. In short, Encarnacion-Strand likes hitting in Arizona during the months of February and March.

The Cincinnati faithful now want to see that type of prodigious power transfer into the regular season. Encarnacion-Strand's rookie season in 2023 saw him crush 13 round-trippers and rack up 37 RBI in just 222 at-bats, but season's injury left a hole in the middle of the Reds lineup.

Not to be outdone, McLain went deep in the top of the fifth inning against LA, and then Elly De La Cruz unleashed on ball that rocketed out of the stadium as well. The Reds have had a penchant for power during the first few games of the Cactus League season. If it carries over the regular season, the rest of the NL Central will be put on notice.

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