2 Reds players who won't lose their roster spot to Christian Encarnacion-Strand & 1 who should

1 of 3

Well, his time has finally come. FanSided's Robert Murray is reporting that Cincinnati Reds prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand is being called up to the big leagues. Encarnacion-Strand was scratched from the lineup prior to the Louisville Bats game against the Nashville Sounds.

This is the latest in a series of moves that have infused the Reds roster with young, talented players. Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Andrew Abbott have already made their mark. Reds fans are hopeful to see the same impact from Encarnacion-Strand.

The Reds roster currently stands at 39, so Cincinnati doesn't need to make any drastic moves once Encarnacion-Strand is called up. Barring a trade or someone being placed on the IL, which Reds players are safe and who is most likely to lose his spot on the active roster?

Reds catcher Curt Casali won't lose his roster spot to Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

This is probably the least likely scenario. I know, I know, three catchers on the roster has grown tiresome, and Curt Casali hasn't started since Independence Day in Washington DC. But the veteran backstop has a place on the Cincinnati Reds roster.

No, Casali isn't going to hit for .300, or even .250. But his main task is to call a good game. There's more to the life of a catcher than hitting. In fact, finding a catcher that is an above-average hitter, receiver, and pitch-caller is rare.

If the Reds chose to sever ties with Casali, he would have be designated for assignment. The 34-year-old is out of minor league options and would have to pass through waivers and accept an outright assignment to Triple-A in order to remain with the organization.

Rosters are set to expand in about six weeks. The Cincinnati Reds have made it this far, and with a team-option included with his contract, there's a chance that the club would like to bring Casali back in 2024.

Curt Casali's lack of playing time certainly warrants his inclusion on this list, but it seems like his role with this year's team is one that David Bell covets. Don't be so quick to dismiss Casali just because Christian Encarnacion-Strand is joining the team.

Reds utility player Nick Senzel won't lose his roster spot to Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Nick Senzel's name has been tossed about on social media as the player who'll be sent packing in order to accommodate Christian Encarnacion-Strand's major league debut. While it's possible, removing Senzel from the active roster doesn't necessarily help get Encarnacion-Strand's bat into the lineup.

Of late, Senzel has exclusively seen time in the outfield. After getting some reps at both second and third base earlier this season, once Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz joined the party, the majority of Senzel's playing time has come in the outfield.

Not only that, but Nick Senzel has become little more than a bench-bat who only gets his hacks if a left-handed pitcher is on the bump. Senzel was out of the Cincinnati Reds starting lineup for the past three games and only got into Sunday's contest once the Milwaukee Brewers called upon a southpaw reliever.

Senzel has been a weapon for the Reds against left-handed pitching this season, and his defensive versatility makes it easy for David Bell to simply swap the former first-round pick for either Will Benson or Jake Fraley when an opposing teams brings in a left-handed pitcher.

Now, Senzel has minor league options remaining, so the possibility exists for the Reds to send the 27-year-old down to Triple-A in order to keep him in the organization. But that would seem to weaken the team's offensive production against lefties. Look for Senzel to remain part of the active roster.

Reds infielder Kevin Newman should lose his roster spot to Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

By process of elimination, we land on Kevin Newman. Now, this isn't to say that the veteran infielder hasn't served his purpose for the Cincinnati Reds this season, but it would appear as though Newman's time in the Queen City is coming to a close.

Newman has hit left-handed pitching well. Newman's .901 OPS against southpaws is quite impressive, but Nick Senzel has slashed .355/.412/.597 against lefties in 2023. That, plus Senzel's ability to play all three outfield spots likely keeps him on the active roster over Newman.

Much like Senzel, Newman has been relegated to seeing the field only when a left-hander is on the mound. Christian Encarnacion-Strand can easily supplant Newman in the lineup in that scenario.

An infield of Encarnacion-Strand (first base), Jonathan India (second base), Matt McLain (shortstop), and Elly De La Cruz (third base), with an outfield of Spencer Steer (left field), TJ Friedl (center field), and Senzel (right field), seems like the most likely alignment when a left-handed pitcher faces the Reds.

How David Bell plans to get Encarnacion-Strand's bat into the lineup against right-handed pitchers is anyone's guess. But with Newman acting as little more than a platoon infielder against left-hander's his bat is easily replaceable.

Kevin Newman has minor league options remaining, so sending the 29-year-old down to Triple-A seems to be the most likely scenario. It would keep Newman in the organization, allowing for the Reds to recall the former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop in the event of an injury or trade.

With the MLB trade deadline two weeks away, any transaction that removes a player from the 40-man roster seems unlikely. Look for the Cincinnati Reds to select the contract of Christian Encarnacion-Strand and option Kevin Newman to Triple-A Louisville.

3 Reds prospects who could be traded, 2 who are off limits. dark. Next. Prospects that could be traded

Home / Reds News