SF Giants may have found a diamond in the rough with power-hitting outfielder

The SF Giants signed Jerar Encarnación earlier this year probably not expecting too much from him. Thus far, he has proven to be a very solid big-league player for the team and has provided some pop to the lineup.

Encarnación took a bit of a roundabout path to the major leagues this year. He began the year in the Mexican League where he was absolutely tearing the cover off the ball hitting 19 home runs in 26 games. That caught the attention of the Giants who signed him to a minor league deal.

He continued his hot hitting in Sacramento with the River Cats, blasting 10 home runs in 33 games. That earned him a call-up to the big leagues back in the beginning of August.

So far in the big-leagues he has done well, hitting .267/.300/.467 in 23 games and 75 at-bats. He has 4 home runs, 16 RBI, and has drawn 4 walks while striking out 24 times. Those are not incredible numbers by any means, but they do show a player with a lot of promise.

Jerar Encarnación could be a diamond in the rough for the SF Giants

In last night's game, Encarnación hit an opposite field home run which is impressive for a right-handed hitter to do at Oracle Park. That swing demonstrates the raw power that he has at the plate and that he can hit a ball out anywhere. He definitely qualifies as a right-handed hitter that Mike Krukow would say could hit a ball into McCovey Cove.

At 26 years old, Encarnación is still a young player. If he can develop into a reliable power hitter he could certainly find at-bats with the Giants next year as a corner outfielder, first baseman, or designated hitter. With Wilmer Flores likely to be let go and Mark Canha unlikely to return in free agency, Encarnación could be a natural replacement for both of those players next year.

The Giants do not have a ton of sources of reliable power in their lineup. Encarnacion has shown promise this year that he can be a power threat going forward for the Giants which would be very welcome in their inconsistent lineup.