Impressive early-season stats have Reds fans ready to invest in Cincy's resurgent slugger

Cincinnati Reds fans breathed a sigh of relief when Christian Encarnacion-Strand returned to the starting lineup after a scary hit by pitch on March 31 against the Texas Rangers — the same team that plunked him in 2024, which effectively ended his season.

After all, Reds fans are all too familiar with the cascading impact of injuries. His swift return to play is not the only encouraging sign for Encarnacion-Strand; he is looking more like the slugger he was in 2023.

Before Encarnacion-Strand could get going last season, he turned in an uncharacteristically pedestrian performance. In 29 games, he mustered just 22 hits and struck out 35 times. Most significantly, he stopped hitting the ball with authority as his hard-hit rate fell by more than 10%. Thankfully, CES seems to be back in form.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s early power display may indicate good things to come for the Reds

Over his first five games, Encarnacion-Strand has seemed more like his old self. His hard-hit rate is about 2% higher than 2023, and his bat speed is back to his rookie year level. After fracturing a bone in his wrist, bat speed and bat control could have been concerns. In short, these advanced metrics suggest Encarnacion-Strand is making good contact and playing without reservation.

If Encarnacion-Strand is truly healthy, as his performance seems to indicate, he could be a surprise boost to the Reds’ lineup. CES has raw power that would help make up for the loss of Tyler Stephenson and Austin Hays early this season, and he has good speed for a first baseman. A .750 OPS with 15-20 homers is certainly within the realm of possibility for the Reds' slugger.

Like Matt McLain, Encarnacion-Strand is a player that the Reds need to return to form. He has done all the right things: offseason work, Arizona Fall League success, winning over manager Terry Francona during spring training. Now, he needs to put it all together on the field, and if his early numbers can be believed, he might be on the verge of doing just that.

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