Christian Encarnacion-Strand Projected To Start At First Base
10 months agoCincinnati Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand emerged as a power right-handed bat after making his major-league debut last year. Free-agent addition Jeimer Candelario, who is a switch-hitter, will also play a lot at first base in 2024, but MLB's Mark Sheldon is projecting Encarnacion-Strand to see the majority of the time at the cold corner. Jonathan India could be another option for some starts at first base as the Reds look to move him around the field. The 24-year-old Encarnacion-Strand finished last year with a .270/.328/.477 slash line, 13 home runs, 37 RBI and 29 runs scored in 63 games in his rookie season. He will split his time between first base and designated hitter and is one of the more intriguing young power bats in the game in an improved lineup while residing in a hitter-friendly ballpark.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon