SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants are preparing to make several roster alterations prior to Friday’s series opener at Cincinnati. And one of the additions is sure to excite anyone who has been paying attention to Jerar Encarnación and his total dismantling of the Pacific Coast League.
A major-league source confirmed that the Giants are calling up Encarnación, a 26-year-old outfielder and right-handed hitter who began his season with Oaxaca in the Mexican League and didn’t stop raking after joining the Giants on a minor-league contract. Encarnación, who can also play first base, was hitting .352 with 10 home runs in 125 at-bats for Triple-A Sacramento. The former Miami Marlins farmhand, who played in 23 big-league games in 2022, hit an astounding 19 home runs in 93 at-bats for Oaxaca before the Giants signed him in mid-May.
The Giants also will add Mark Canha, whom they acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the final moments before Tuesday’s trade deadline, and right-hander Sean Hjelle, who was on the bereavement list. Infielder David Villar, catcher Blake Sabol and outfielder Derek Hill have been informed that they will not be on the roster Friday. (Hill is the most likely candidate to be designated for assignment to get Encarnación on the 40-man roster.)
It might appear redundant to call up Encarnación while also folding in Canha, another right-handed hitter who plays the outfield and first base. But Wilmer Flores (knee) isn’t expected back anytime soon and the Giants are motivated to add a power spark to a league-average offense that hasn’t produced at an acceptable level since the All-Star break. They managed to win 1-0 behind Logan Webb on Wednesday despite receiving just a sacrifice fly against struggling Oakland A’s right-hander Ross Stripling (who was 2-9 with a 6.02 ERA) and three relievers.
Encarnación, who is from the Dominican Republic, didn’t sign until he was 18 and wasn’t considered one of the Marlins’ top prospects. He only reached the majors in 2022 because the Marlins needed to replace multiple players who went on the COVID-19 list. His first major-league hit was a grand slam and he also threw out a baserunner in his debut against the New York Mets. But once he returned to the minor leagues, high strikeout rates prevented him from resurfacing.
Encarnación could be inserted into a very right-handed lineup against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott on Friday and also profiles as a power threat off the bench against left-handed relievers. It’s also possible that his presence could mean that 22-year-old rookie Marco Luciano gets more starts in the middle infield and fewer at designated hitter.
Basically, the Giants are adding as many right-handed power threats as possible. And they’ll be ready to create more opportunities for whoever can get on a roll at the plate.
(Photo from 2022: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
