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Reds call up Christian Encarnacion-Strand

Isiah Wardlaw / MLB / July 18, 2023

Reds call up Christian Encarnacion-Strand

Capitalizing on one of the best farm systems in baseball right now, the Cincinnati Reds are once again dipping their hands into it to retrieve Christian Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Louisville, Fansided MLB insider Robert Murray reported Sunday.

Top prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand is being called up by the Cincinnati Reds, his agency Munger English Sports Management confirms.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 17, 2023

Encarnacion-Strand is the most recent of the “Big Three” down in Louisville to be called up. Matt McLain was called up on May 15th, Elly De La Cruz on June 6th and now it’s Encarnacion-Strand’s time.

“It means a lot,” Encarnacion-Strand said. “Now, I get to play with a really, really good group of guys. The guys have been always welcoming. The same thing in spring training, they were super, super nice to me.”, Encarnacion-Strand said in his first press conference. The big three have been best friends since Triple-A, and the Reds are hoping they can bring that chemistry to the big stage.

They grow up so fast. pic.twitter.com/2kUcs3uuU8
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 17, 2023

Christian Encarnacion-Strand was the fifth-ranked prospect in the Reds’ system and the No. 88-ranked prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. on an absolute tear down in Triple-A. Through 67 games, he slashed .331/.405/.637, equating to an OPS of 1.042, adding 20 home runs, 62 RBIs and 21 doubles on top of that.

In three minor league seasons, he sported a 1.013 OPS with 71 home runs, 83 additional extra-base hits, 260 RBIs with 16 stolen bases, 98 walks (8.1 BB%) to 282 strikeouts (23.2 K%).

Joey Votto Compares Elly De La Cruz To MLB Legend

Reds fans are in for a treat with this young lineup, and they should be really excited for Encarnacion-Strand. When asked about his MLB goals, he smiled and said, “40 home runs.”

Encarnacion-Strand is also already in the record books in the MLB. According to Sarah Langs, at 27 characters his name is the longest in big league history, five longer than that of Minnesota pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson.