In Goodyear, Arizona, Christian Encarnacion-Strand is embracing a fresh perspective on his baseball career, and it's not just because of the new glasses he's sporting. Known for wearing contacts, Encarnacion-Strand has switched to glasses this spring with the Cincinnati Reds due to an astigmatism that contacts can't correct. This change parallels his evolving approach to the game, focusing on what he can control rather than what he wishes it could be.
“There comes a time where the stuff you worried about happened, so why worry now?” Encarnacion-Strand shared.
“That’s why I have the peace now. I’m blessed to be here.”
Despite being sidelined with a hamstring injury at the start of spring training, Encarnacion-Strand remains upbeat. Reds manager Terry Francona mentioned that he’s set to run the bases on Wednesday to test his hamstring and could appear in a Cactus League game as soon as Friday.
“I’m not rushing, I’m not pushing it too fast. I’m pushing it as fast as I can safely,” Encarnacion-Strand explained.
“The old me would push it, push it, push it and come back sooner than I probably should have. That doesn’t help anybody because now I’m not performing.”
Francona noticed a shift in Encarnacion-Strand’s mindset this spring. Instead of focusing on making the team, he’s prioritizing his health.
“I think you see guys that are maturing, and that’s what they’re supposed to do,” Francona observed.
Encarnacion-Strand, now 26, was part of the Reds’ promising rookie class of 2023, alongside talents like Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. In his major league debut, he hit .270 with 13 home runs in just 63 games.
On Opening Day 2024, he took over as the Reds' starting first baseman, a role long held by Joey Votto. However, a pitch to the hand against the Texas Rangers in April led to a series of unfortunate events. Initial tests missed a fracture, and he played through the pain before further exams revealed the injury, sidelining him for the season after surgery.
Last Opening Day, Encarnacion-Strand started strong with two hits, including a double, and repeated the feat the next day. But a similar incident with the Rangers led to another hand injury.
Although initial X-rays were negative, he later faced lower back inflammation, which put him on the IL. After a brief return highlighted by a homer and a walk-off double, his performance dipped, leading to a stint with Triple-A Louisville.
In September, while the Reds celebrated Encarnacion-Strand with a bobblehead giveaway, Sal Stewart hit a crucial home run, echoing Encarnacion-Strand's earlier potential. Stewart finished the season with the Reds, eyeing the first baseman role. Meanwhile, the Reds bolstered their lineup with players like Eugenio Suárez and Nathaniel Lowe, making Encarnacion-Strand's path back to the majors more challenging.
Francona emphasized that for Encarnacion-Strand, mastering the strike zone is key. “He’s just so strong that if he swings at good pitches, he’s going to do probably OK,” Francona noted.
“Now, can he do that consistently? He hasn’t shown the ability yet that he can.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t. Once guys do and they get confident, it happens.”
Encarnacion-Strand exudes confidence, albeit with a newfound serenity. Instead of a scowl, he now wears a smile around the spring training complex. The obstacles he faces are significant but not insurmountable for someone with his talent.
“I guess I’m just happy to play ball,” he expressed. “There’s a lot bigger things than just baseball at the end of the day.
I understand that I’m blessed just to be here. The Lord’s blessed me, so I’m grateful.”