This once promising Reds player has no place to hide after Eugenio Suarez arrives

If the Cincinnati Reds finally added another free agent over the weekend in the form of longtime fan-favorite Eugenio Suárez. The Reds reunited with the two-time All-Star to a one-year, $15 million deal with a mutual option for 2027.

If this is the roster the Reds head into the spring with, they're going to be counting on a number of young hitters taking a step forward. Sal Stewart is the prime choice to transform the lineup, but he alone likely isn't enough. They'll also need some help from the likes of Noelvi Marte or Spencer Steer.

It will take a group effort, and likely some in the collection will disappoint. However, there's also a chance that a former top prospect who has all but been written off can finally soothe that itch. This spring could be the last stand for Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is running out of chances with the Reds — especially after the reunion with Eugenio Suárez

To date, the biggest distinction of Encarnacion-Strand's career is breaking the record for the longest full name in baseball history. He earned that honor upon his call-up in July of 2023, and at that point, it looked like big things were in store for the youngster.

Encarnacion-Strand ranked No. 7 on the Reds' top 30 prospect list, and upon his arrival, he showed that the ranking was not without warrant. The first baseman slashed .270/.328/.477 with 13 homers over 63 games, showcasing some serious power.

However, in the two years since, the 26-year-old has struggled to recapture that form. His 2024 follow-up disappointed greatly with a .190/.220/.293 slash line in just 29 games. This past season wasn't much better, with Encarnacion-Strand hitting .208/.234/.377, with any semblance of plate discipline disappearing as shown by his putrid 2.2% walk rate.

The majority of Encarnacion-Strand's 2025 campaign came down at Triple-A Louisville, and things were a mixed bag. He tapped into his power, posting a .249 ISO and cracking 11 dingers in 62 contests.

The power is real, but making contact enough to tap into it, as well as swinging at the right pitches, are real concerns. His major league stint showed some improvement in whiff rate, with Encarnacion-Strand whiffing 29.4% of the time in both 2023 and 2024, and cutting that down to 25.8% last year. However, that was coupled with an egregious 46.6% chase rate, which was easily the worst mark of his career.

That's what it's all going to come down to. He'll need to show that he can lay off pitches out of the zone and make enough contact on those in the zone in order to play. If he can't do that, this might represent his last opportunity with the Reds.

Suárez is now on the roster. Stewart is the future. Cam Collier is on the rise. Ke'Bryan Hayes isn't going anywhere with his contract running through 2029. A failure this spring on the part of Encarnacion-Strand will have him lost behind the other options, and likely jettisoned to make room for a more useful piece.