Orioles may have found long-term solution at third base thanks to Reds' oversight

When the Orioles acquired Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Cincinnati Reds back in April, he was viewed as nothing more than an organizational depth piece — a player that could be useful at some point, though it wouldn’t be a loss if he never panned out for them.

But as we enter into the home stretch of the 2026 season, Encarnacion-Strand has become one of the team’s most valuable players over the last month. While he still has a lot more to prove, CES has earned his place on the team for 2027.

Following a trade deadline that saw a number of Baltimore's top players heading to new destinations, fans had pretty much accepted the their team's fate. However, as of Aug. 27, the Orioles trail the Cleveland Guardians by just 2.5 games for the final Wild Card spot. A major reason for the team’s current position has been the excellent play from Encarnacion-Strand. 

After being called up on July 15, the 26-year-old provided the team with a solid bat in a lineup desperate for a spark. While an .820 OPS and 128 OPS+ through 106 at-bats might not be an award-worthy performance, Encarnacion-Strand has given the Orioles exactly what they needed, and then some. The early-season move has clearly paid off since the O’s only gave up cash considerations for the former top prospect.

Orioles’ low-risk Christian Encarnacion-Strand gamble could help them reach the postseason  

Through 31 games this season, Encarnacion-Strand has already accumulated 0.7 WAR while playing serviceable defense at third base. His seven home runs and 27 RBI have been especially clutch as players like Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday have struggled to drive in runs. 

As Blaze Alexander works his way back from the IL, the team will have to streamline the roster and build a lineup that puts them in the best position to win. That means some tough choices will have to be made going forward. With the ability to play all around the diamond, penciling Alexander in at second base could make the most sense, even if it means reducing Holliday’s playing time.  

Throughout his abbreviated four-year career, Encarnacion-Strand has never been given a full season to show what he’s capable of. The Orioles may be smart to give him that chance in 2027. While his OBP and OPS have dropped in the month of August, his offensive production has not. This may point to the fact that he has run into a little bit of bad luck at the plate.  

Although it may be a small sample size, Encarnacion-Strand has proven to be a tremendous asset to a team still very much alive in a tight AL Wild Card race. Outside of his questionable plate discipline at times, he has shown a talent for barreling up the ball with an above average exit velocity. His xSLG of .478 and xBA of .264 also tells us that his pop isn’t a fluke, either.  

On the defensive side of things, Encarnacion-Strand hasn’t exactly showcased any eye-popping skills. But the Orioles don’t need another Brooks Robinson or Manny Machado. They just need a competent fielder who can produce at the plate and provide depth to a lineup that has been inconsistent throughout the year. And with the potential combination of Encarnacion-Strand and Alexander, the Orioles could finally have that depth. 

Encarnacion-Strand is also under team control until 2030, meaning that he will be an affordable player for the foreseeable future. That gives the Orioles plenty of wiggle room to decide their approach moving forward. Is he the guaranteed long-term solution for the Orioles at third base? Maybe, maybe not. But he has at least earned the chance to win the job.   

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