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Reds answer disappointing Brewers sweep with the promotion of top prospect

The Cincinnati Reds had to be feeling good about themselves heading into the 2023 All-Star Break. They were 50-41 on the year and sitting in first place in the NL Central. Let’s just say that no one was expecting this kind of start for the Reds. But calling up prospect Elly De La Cruz has provided a spark to the team and helped contribute to their run to first place since his call-up in June.

However, the Reds have fallen back to Earth as of late. In a pivotal three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Reds were swept. Not just swept, but were held scoreless in the first two games of the series.

What do the Reds do to put this string of losses behind them? Well, how about calling up another top prospect?

FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray reported that Cincinnati was calling up their No. 5 prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand. That news was confirmed by Encarnacion-Strand’s agency, Munger English Sports Management.

Encarnacion-Strand was acquired by the Reds last year at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins in a trade package for pitcher Tyler Mahle. While he is listed as a third baseman, he played the majority of this season at first base in Triple-A Louisville.

In 67 games, Encarnacion-Strand recorded a .331 batting average, .405 on-base percentage, a .637 slugging percentage, 20 home runs, 62 RBI, 65 runs scored, 92 hits, 69 strikeouts, and 33 walks in 278 at-bats.

Encarnacion-Strand has been tearing it up at Triple-A, and the Reds decided the time was now for him to make his major league debut and to help them string up some wins to get past the Brewers.