Reds call up highly touted prospect Encarnacion-Strand

Yet another key piece of the Cincinnati Reds' future is coming to the Queen City.

The Reds called up highly regarded corner infield prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand on Monday.

Encarnacion-Strand is joining Cincinnati in time for Monday's home game against the San Francisco Giants. In a corresponding move, shortstop Kevin Newman was placed on the 10-day injured list with gastritis.

The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the biggest power bats in the minors this campaign. Encarnacion-Strand has torn up the International League in his first season at Triple-A, hitting .331/.405/.637 with 20 homers, 43 extra-base hits, and 62 RBIs over 67 contests with the Louisville Bats.

A natural third baseman, he's split time between both corner infield spots this year. He'll likely see playing time at third, first, and designated hitter for Cincinnati.

Encarnacion-Strand ranks as the Reds' No. 5 prospect, per MLB.com, and No. 88 overall in baseball. He's one of five Reds minor leaguers on MLB.com's top-100 prospects list.

The Minnesota Twins drafted the Oklahoma State product in 2021 before trading him to Cincinnati last summer as part of a package for right-hander Tyler Mahle.

Encarnacion-Strand is the latest member of Cincinnati's youth movement to reach the majors this year, following fellow prized youngsters such as Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, and Elly De La Cruz.

The Reds have been baseball's biggest surprise this season, sporting a 50-44 record while sitting two games out of a playoff spot barely a year after losing 100 games.

However, they've hit a bump out of the All-Star break, dropping out of first place in the NL Central after being swept by Milwaukee over the weekend. Cincinnati's offense has scored just three runs over its last 36 innings, dating back to last Sunday.