Spencer Steer's throwing progression should put this cratering Reds player on notice

Spencer Steer's bat is heating up. He's still not where he wants to be in terms of offensive production, but the Cincinnati Reds designated hitter clocked his first home run of the season earlier this week, and is slugging nearly .400 over the last seven games. Steer's been limited to acting as the Reds' DH since the season began due to a shoulder ailment that has restricted his ability to throw the baseball.

But Reds manager Terry Francona revealed that Steer will begin the next step in his throwing progression in the coming days — that includes making double-play turns at first base during pregame warmups. While Steer stepped up to play left field last season, he has nearly as many starts at first base as he does in the outfield.

This latest update is great news for the Reds as a whole, as it will offer more roster flexibility once Steer is able to line up somewhere on the diamond. But it could be bad news for Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The Reds slugger has struggled mightily through the first two weeks of the season, and there's a strong possibility that Steer's return to the field could impact Encarnacion-Strand's playing time.

Spencer Steer's throwing progression should put Reds slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand on notice

The Reds lineup has been scuffling, and Encarnacion-Strand is a big reason why. Cincinnati's first baseman is hitting just .163/.192/.306 on the young season and has just one walk to 12 strikeouts. Encarnacion-Strand's bat speed is among the 70th percentile, but that stat is absolutely worthless if you can't make contact.

Encarnacion-Strand has looked lost during a number of his plate appearances; oftentimes swinging wildly at pitches well outside the strike zone. He's only seen one full count all season, which ended his lone walk. It has been a horrific start to the season for a player who was being counted on to provide that pop in the middle of the batting order.

When Steer is healthy enough to play the field, and both Matt McLain and Austin Hays return to the Reds roster — which could be during the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners — Encarnacion-Strand's spot in the starting lineup will be in jeopardy. Moreover, his spot on the active roster could be tenuous as well.

The Reds need Encarnacion-Strand's bat in the lineup, but not if he fails to produce. It's early, and the fanbase is willing to give Encarnacion-Strand the benefit of the doubt at the moment. But if his loudest tool remains silent, there's no way for Francona to justify playing him once Steer is able to play first base.

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