Mark Meeks/Todd Norris/Chattanooga Lookouts

The Cincinnati Reds acquired Christian Encarnacion-Strand via trade last season in August, and it looks like he is going to be a great player for Cincinnati. The slugging third baseman has gotten off to a red-hot spring training in 2023. He’s only had 11 at bats, but he is hitting .636 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. One of the home runs being a grand slam. 

In an interview with Jim Day of the Reds, Encarnacion-Strand was asked about his average and he stated, “…the power numbers are awesome, but if you take pride in that average, I feel like that helps you get the power numbers you want.” He obviously has an excellent mindset and approach to hitting. He knows if he focuses on the small things, then the big things will come along with that.

In High-A with the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2022, Encarnacion-Strand was a league MVP and an All-Star. In 2021, he hit for a .391 average with four home runs and 18 runs batted in. In 2022, he hit for a .304 average with 32 home runs and 114 runs batted in. Even though these numbers were from High-A and Double A, they’re very promising, and the Reds should be very excited about the future for Encarnacion-Strand.

Encarnacion-Strand is just 23 years old and is currently ranked as the number seven prospect in the Reds origination. He has a little bit more time to develop, but he is at the age where the Reds should consider bringing him up to the big leagues. Fans want to see the young and upcoming talent in the organization, and this could be the start of it. This entire organization needs a jump start and guys like Christian Encarnacion-Strand could be one of the key pieces to getting this train going.