Reds' decision is already being tested by former slugger’s hot start

The Cincinnati Reds made the unpopular (but warranted) decision to designate Christian Encarnacion-Strand for assignment earlier this month. Jose Trevino was battling a back injury and placed on the IL. With no other catchers on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati needed space to add PJ Higgins, and chose to DFA Encarnacion-Strand.

The Reds eventually traded Encarnacion-Strand to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations, and since joining his new organization, he's been on a quite a tear. Encarnacion-Strand is hitting .351/.409/.622 with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate after posting a .222/275/.472 slash line to begin the year with the Louisville Bats.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand's hot start could have the Reds panicked

Encarnacion-Strand has only played nine games with his new organization, so there's no need to immediately slander the Reds' front office for their decision making. Nevertheless, it does make one wonder if the talk of Encarnacion-Strand's demise was greatly exaggerated.

Reds fans embraced Encarnacion-Strand upon his arrival in Cincinnati. The former Minnesota Twins farmhand was known for his light-tower power, and after hitting .270/.328/.477 with 13 home runs during his rookie season in 2023, the Cincinnati faithful thought they had the heir apparent to Joey Votto at first base.

But injuries and poor play caused his star to fade, and Encarnacion-Strand spent most of last season in the minor leagues. A ridiculously high chase rate contributed to his 27.1% K rate, and an inability to draw walks (4.2% BB rate) only made those issues more pronounced.

At the moment, Encarnacion-Strand has recorded five walks in 44 plate appearances at Triple-A Norfolk, which equates to an 11.4% walk rate. He's striking out just over 20% of the time and his .270 ISO suggests that his prodigous power remains a fixture of his game. This deal has the potential to blow up in the Reds' face if Encarnacion-Strand somehow returns to the player he was in 2023.

But given Sal Stewart's presence at first base, even the current version of Encarnacion-Strand wasn't going to be part of the Major League roster in Cincinnati. He was always a streaky player during his time with the Reds, and this current nine-game stretch could be more of the same.

Most Reds fans undoubtedly wish Encarnacion-Strand well in his future endaevors, just so long as he's not crushing 450-foot moonshots when he's in the opposing dugout at Great American Ball Park.

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