3 ways Christian Encarnacion-Strand can make the Reds Opening Day roster

The Cincinnati Reds have a problem on their hands. Don't get me wrong, it's a good problem to have, but it's still a problem.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is absolutely dominating the Cactus League so far this spring. If the Reds seventh-best prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) seems to be hitting everything seems to be hitting everything in sight, that's because he is.

Encarnacion-Strand is hitting the cover off the ball this spring with a batting average north of .600 and 10 runs batted in. Encarnacion-Strand certainly looks the part, but how can the infielder actually make the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster?

1. Christian Encarnacion-Strand can make the Reds Opening Day roster if Joey Votto is on the Injured List.

One way for the Cincinnati Reds to add Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Opening Day roster is dependent on the health of the team's longtime first baseman and six-time All-Star. Joey Votto has been sidelined all spring after undergoing shoulder surgery last summer.

By all accounts, it appears as though Votto will not be ready for Opening Day. This would certainly open the door for Encarnacion-Strand to have his contract selected and find his way into the heart of David Bell's lineup card on March 30th against the Pittsburgh.

Encarnacion-Strand, though he came through the Minnesota Twins farm system as a third baseman, has been receiving most of his playing time this spring at first base. With the Reds intent on getting fellow prospect Spencer Steer regular playing time at third base, it stands to reason why Cincinnati's coaching staff has made this decision.

Adding Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster as the team's primary first base is fine if Joey Votto isn't ready to go. But what if he is? There are other ways for the Reds to finagle the roster if they really want to get Encarnacion-Strand in the lineup.

3. Christian Encarnacion-Strand can make the Reds Opening Day roster if he continues to rake.

Regardless of whether or not Joey Votto is fully healthy, or if the Cincinnati Reds carry three catchers, if Christian Encarnacion-Strand continues to hit like he has throughout the first week-plus of spring training, the coaches will find him a spot on the 26-man roster.

This was the case with Jonathan India in 2021. The Reds abandoned their plans for the team's infield alignment in order to get India's bat into the lineup. Mike Moustakas was moved to third base, Eugenio Suarez was shifted to shortstop, and Kyle Farmer went back to his role as the team's top utility player.

If Encarnacion-Strand proves himself to be major league-ready during spring training, the team may have to change their infield alignment accordingly. Encarnacion-Strand and Votto could share first base/ designated hitter duties when Tyler Stephenson is behind the plate.

The Reds cannot afford to keep some of these top prospects down on the farm if a player who is not going to be part of the team's long-term future is occupying a spot on the active roster. If Encarnacion-Strand or other prospects like Matt McLain or Elly De La Cruz are deemed ready, Kevin Newman, Chad Pinder, and yes, Nick Senzel cannot be taking away playing time from the youngsters.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is pushing his timeline up. It's likely that the Cincinnati Reds did not foresee the Oklahoma State product in their plans for Opening Day this year. But plans change.