BA GRADE
50
Risk: Extreme
Born: Jan. 17, 1998. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 195. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2016. Signed by: Jonathan Cruz.
Encarnacion signed for a modest $10,000 bonus in 2016, but he’s quickly proven to be one of the highest-ceilinged prospects in the organization thanks to a rare combination of speed, size and strength.
Encarnacion played shortstop in the Dominican Summer League in 2016 and first and third base in 2017. First base is a waste of his athleticism, so he played third base exclusively after being promoted to Rookie-level Danville. He has to improve his footwork and angles on balls, but with a plus arm, excellent range and adequate hands, he could end up as at least an average third baseman. Other scouts see a rangy outfielder. Encarnacion will turn plus times from home to first and has some of the best raw power in the organization. He’ll have to get more selective, because he has a swing-at-everything approach right now. His strength and bat-to-ball skills have made him a career .298 hitter.
If Encarnacion heads to full-season ball in 2018, expect some initial struggles, but he has the tools to be worth plenty of patience.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Braves (DSL) |
R |
.264 |
37 |
140 |
19 |
37 |
2017 |
Braves (GCL) |
R |
.350 |
27 |
103 |
16 |
36 |
|
Danville (APP) |
R |
.290 |
23 |
93 |
14 |
27 |
Minor League Totals |
.298 |
87 |
336 |
49 |
100 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Braves (DSL) |
3 |
3 |
0 |
16 |
11 |
2017 |
Braves (GCL) |
8 |
4 |
2 |
16 |
4 |
|
Danville (APP) |
3 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
Minor League Totals |
14 |
7 |
3 |
38 |
18 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Braves (DSL) |
30 |
4 |
0 |
.340 |
.329 |
2017 |
Braves (GCL) |
22 |
4 |
2 |
.374 |
.563 |
|
Danville (APP) |
21 |
3 |
5 |
.316 |
.355 |
Minor League Totals |
73 |
11 |
7 |
.343 |
.408 |
|