SF Giants can scoop up DFA'd Walnut Creek native as emergency infield depth piece

The SF Giants seem to be pretty good on infield depth right now, but over the course of a long 162-game season it never hurts to add more depth into the mix. That’s why it may not be a bad idea to pick up veteran infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand who also just so happens to be a Bay Area native.

Born in Walnut Creek, Encarnacion-Strand grew up in Pleasant Hill in the East Bay and went to College Park High School. He’s gone on to be a decent player with the Cincinnati Reds but he was just designated for assignment.

SF Giants can take a chance on Bay Area native for infield depth

This season has not been the best for the 26-year-old infielder. While he was in the big leagues at times over the last few seasons for the Reds, he was optioned to Triple-A at the start of this season. 

He was hitting just .222/.275/.472 in the minors and the Reds had a bit of a roster crunch as they needed to add a catcher so Encarnacion-Strand ended up being the odd man out.

His best big league season was his rookie year in 2023. That year he slashed .270/.328/.477 with 13 homers and 37 runs batted in. Unfortunately, he was not able to sustain that success in 2024 and 2025. Over those two seasons he hit a collective .199/.227/.327 with eight homers and 35 driven in.

It may seem that the Giants already have more than enough depth at first base and third base, Encarnacion-Strand’s two primary positions. They absolutely do.

At first base, the Giants currently have Rafael Devers, Jerar Encarnacion, and Casey Schmitt as options there although none of them are a true first baseman. In Triple-A the Giants have top prospect Bryce Eldridge, Bay Area native Jake Holton, and red-hot Victor Bericoto as options.

Third base is pretty stacked as well. Matt Chapman is not going anywhere if he is healthy and both Schmitt, Christian Koss, and even Devers in an emergency could handle duties at third. In Triple-A Sacramento the Giants have Buddy Kennedy, Nate Furman, and Osleivis Basabe as additional depth. 

But injuries can happen out of nowhere so why not add a guy who has shown some promise into the mix in Triple-A? Worst case, if he doesn’t pan out the Giants can cut him. 

The Giants haven’t been shy about adding Bay Area guys in the past so picking up Encarnacion-Strand after his DFA may not be such a bad idea.