Edwin Encarnacion

2013

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2012

Encarnacion rewarded his owners with another solid season and even chipped in eight stolen bases and played enough games at both third base and first base to qualify at both in most formats. He did have a .292 BABIP, easily his best mark since his days in Cincinnati so a regression of his batting average is quite likely but the power should remain. The Jays picked up their $3.5 million option on him and while Brett Lawrie figures to see most of the action at third base, Encarnacion should still get ample time at first base and DH with an opportunity for occasional time in left field as well.

2011

Encarnacion started slowly last year following offseason wrist surgery and later dealt with a shoulder injury, hitting just .221 with 10 homers in the first half of the season. He rebounded a bit in the second half (.262 average with 11 homers) and was brought back by Toronto after the A's claimed him off waivers and subsequently non-tendered him. There's 30-homer potential here if you squint hard enough, and he'll enjoy an eveyday role with the Jays as the team's DH/1B.

2010

Encarnacion needed a change of scenery and got one with a midseason trade to the Blue Jays. He didn't fare much better with the Jays, hitting .240 with eight homers and 23 RBI in 42 games. He did have offseason surgery to remove a bone spur from his left wrist and suffered facial injuries in a New Year's Eve fireworks accident, but Encarnacion is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training. He'll get a chance to be the team's everyday option at third and is entering his age-27 season. He's only a year removed from a .251/26/68 campaign and could regain that form in a full-time role with the Jays.

2009

Encarnacion added power (25 homers) last season, but at the expense of his batting average (.251). The big question for him is what position he'll eventually play -- there are many in the Reds' organization that believe he needs to be moved off third base, though there's not really an in-house alternative that will be ready in 2009. At age 26, he's still approaching his peak years at the plate.

2008

Encarnacion was an early bust, but after his punitive early-season demotion, he rallied to have a pretty decent season, hitting .309/.360/.488 with 10 homers after the All-Star break. His occasional defensive lapses have gotten him into the doghouse with former manager Jerry Narron, but in fairness many defensive metrics suggest that he's not that bad at third base. Encarnacion turns just 25 in January - it would be a mistake for the Reds (or for Encarnacion's fantasy owners) to write him off.

2007

This was a good growth season for Encarnacion. He maintained his batting eye and improved his ability to hit for average, while cutting down on his strikeouts. His defense is still a question mark, and it causes Reds manager Jerry Narron fits of pique every once in a while. Still, his work ethic on improving his defense has been noted, and now that Rich Aurilia is gone, the Reds don't really have a viable offensive option to replace him. He should finally see a 500 at-bat season.

2006

Encarnacion will open the 2006 season with the starting job at third base and absent moving Ryan Freel from second to third, he has precious little real competition for the job. There's still room for growth, particularly with his glove and his plate discipline, but he also has youth and raw upside on his side. Look for his batting average to suffer, but he could see a power spike.

2005

The Reds aren't as high on Encarnacion as some analysts outside the organization. As early as July, Reds GM Dan O'Brien flatly dismissed the possibility of a September call-up for Encarnacion, despite the team's needs at third base. He isn't expected to be in the running for the job in spring training this year. Some in the Reds organization have cited maturity issues in explaining their lack of enthusiasm for him.

2004

Perhaps the Reds' best (and possibly only) hitting prospect, which might say more about the Reds than it does about Encarnacion. The Reds have given up on converting him to shortstop, instead leaving him at third base. Given the struggles that Brandon Larson has had at the major league level, we may see Encarnacion pushed aggressively in 2004, provided he gets off to a good start at Double-A Chattanooga. He turns 21 in January, so there's still time for him to grow into the power potential for which most scouts have him pegged.

2003

Encarnacion hit .282 with 17 homers as a 19-year old at Single-A Dayton in 2002. Encarnacion's upside would get a major boost if his potential move from third base to shortstop sticks. Even if it doesn't, Encarnacion is a possible future 30/30 guy if his plate discipline improves. Encarnacion came over to the Reds in the Rob Bell-Ruben Mateo deal. Check back in two years – he might have the brightest major league future of the three players involved.