Christian Encarnacion-Strand's position change spells trouble for this Reds outfielder

Thursday's Louisville Bats lineup sent a shock wave through the Cincinnati Reds fanbase, as one of the organization's top prospects, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, made the move to the outfield.

Encarnacion-Strand drew a start in right field during Triple-A Louisville's and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base during his first start in the outfield.

With Encarnacion-Strand not yet added to the Reds 40-man roster, the prospect impending promotion to the major leagues will come at the expense of some currently on the roster. Encarnacion-Strand's start in the outfield could spell trouble for Wil Myers.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand's position change spells trouble for Reds OF Wil Myers.

Wil Myers, who's currently on a rehab assignment alongside Christian Encarnacion-Strand at Triple-A Louisville, may no longer have a spot on the Cincinnati Reds roster if the prospect is able to stick in the outfield.

Encarnacion-Strand has been dominant in Triple-A this year, with nothing holding him back from the Reds active roster other than an abundance of young infielders. Corner infielders like Spencer Steer, Nick Senzel, and Elly De La Cruz have had terrific success this season, so giving Encarnacion-Strand reps in the outfield makes sense.

Myers has struggled thus far in 2023 and has performed well below expectations. With the youth movement in Cincinnati, many Reds fans are calling for Myers to be released, but it hasn't been a very realistic option, due to his $7.5-million salary.

If this position change is seen as a more permanent option for Encarnacion-Strand, and the 23-year-old converts seamlessly to the outfield, Myers time on the Cincinnati Reds roster may be coming to an end.

This change in position may have slowed Christian Encarnacion-Strand's progress toward making his major league debut in the very near future, as the Reds will likely give him time to adjust and play a large chunk of games on the outfield grass before calling him up.

The Reds have now seen Encarnacion-Strand play both corner outfield spots in the last two days, after starting in left field on Friday night for the Louisville Bats.

Utilityt player Nick Senzel is back from the IL with outfielder Jake Fraley not far behind. Spencer Steer started in left field on Friday night in Houston, so the Cincinnati Reds outfield is looking to be too crowded for an aging veteran like Wil Myers.