Goodyear, Ariz. – The Cincinnati Reds cut five prospects from Major League camp on Tuesday, including Christian Encarnacion-Strand. One of Spring’s Hitting Standouts,
Along with Encarnacion-Strand, the Reds sent shortstop Eli de la Cruz, infielder Matt McLain, and pitchers Ricky Karcher and Casey Legumina to minor league camp. None of the five players had any Major League experience, and McLain was the only player with prior experience in a big-league camp.
Encarnacion-Strand, who started the play more first base during campCactus led the league in home runs (four) and RBIs (13) while posting a .557 batting average (15 hits in 26 at-bats).
Reds manager David Bell said, “At this point, there are still very few things that he knows he needs to work on.” “Sure, he was disappointed because he wants to be here like he should be. But he understands now the little things he needs to work on. Sometimes just being here makes them a little more come to light.
The decision to send Encarnacion-Strand to minor league camp was not related to Joey Votto’s status for the start of the season. vote Played in his first Major League Spring Training game on Sunday And he remains a question mark for the Opening Day roster.
“We have a lot of experience and expertise to know what to look for,” Bell said. “There are factors that no one can know. I am around these players every day. I have conversations with them. Christian was impressed in every possible way. He is very, very close. Today was not the day. It was all different. -It was determined by a variety of factors that it was in his best interest and in the best interest of our team that he play at least a little more.
“We can’t wait for those guys to come here. When the time is right for them and for our team.”
Encarnacion-Strand, acquired from the Minnesota Twins in the Tyler Mahle trade, has played only two months above A-Ball and his inexperience at first base has shown in a few games. One of his four homers came against Major League pitcher Drew Rucinski of Oakland, and Rucinski has not pitched in the big leagues since 2018.
Bell expected Encarnacion-Strand to continue playing third base as well as first base during the minor league season.
Bell said, “He needs a little more experience to play there.” “Not much, he has the tasks and he has what it takes. Sometimes, there’s no substitute for the experience of that game.”
De la Cruz, the top-rated prospect in the organization, will need a monster spring to break camp with the club. He showed his talent, but becoming more consistent defensively will be a focus for him.
“The one part of the Major Leagues that you don’t realize until you experience it is the consistency of 162 games in the field, handling the ball, batting,” Bell said. “Finding that consistency. That experience, that comes with age, he’s doing everything right. He just needs to work hard, work hard and he’ll be here quick.”
McLain, a first-round pick in the 2021 MLB draft, had a stellar camp. He had six hits in 16 at-bats with two doubles and one homer while compiling more walks (eight) than strikeouts (three). He split his time between second base and shortstop during the spring.
“He’s very close. What impresses us the most is the way he goes about his business,” Bell said. “He can hit a fast ball. They can’t beat him in the zone. I think having experience at this level, even in spring training, will give him more confidence to go for it. He walked a lot in the camp. I think he’s starting to believe and see that he can hit the best fastball and they can’t beat him in the zone. This will help them control the area even better.”
The Reds have 49 players remaining in camp and a little over two weeks to go before Opening Day.
Left-handed pitcher Brandon Williamson is the only prospect in camp without any Major League experience as he competes for a spot in the rotation after Tuesday’s cuts.
This article originally appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds cut Christian Encarnacion-Strand, prospect from camp
