Christian Encarnacion-Strand Is Mashing — But Can You Trust 22 Plate Appearances?
Christian Encarnacion-Strand has hit 3 home runs with a .545 wOBA across his first 22 plate appearances since being recalled by Baltimore, and at just 3% rostered, the waiver wire window is cracking open. The question isn't whether the production has been impressive — it has. The question is whether 22 PA tells you enough to act.
Not yet. But you need to be paying attention right now.
What the Numbers Show
The rolling stats are identical across all three windows — 7-day, 14-day, and 30-day — because we're looking at the same five-game sample. That's important context. There's no trend to analyze here, just a snapshot: a .400 AVG, 3 HR, a .545 wOBA, an 18.2% K rate, and a 4.5% BB rate over 22 PA.
The production has been distributed well across the sample, too. This isn't one monster game inflating everything. Look at the game log: a homer on July 20 (2-for-3, 2 RBI), another on July 22 in a doubleheader or extended action (3-for-8, 2 RBI), and a third on July 24 (2-for-4, 4 RBI). He went cold on July 18 (1-for-5) and came back down to earth on July 25 (1-for-4, 2 K), which actually makes this feel more organic than a pure hot streak mirage.
The 18.2% strikeout rate is particularly encouraging. It's not elite, but it's manageable — the kind of number that suggests he's not just selling out for power and getting lucky on contact. The 4.5% walk rate is thin, and that's a flag worth monitoring as the sample grows.
WaiverScout Saw This Coming
We first flagged Encarnacion-Strand on July 22, when he was rostered in just 1% of leagues. At that point, we classified him as deprioritize — the sample was too small and the opportunity too uncertain. Three days later, ownership has tripled to 3%, the playing time has held steady at 22 PA over 5 games, and the signal has upgraded to Watch. The trajectory matters. This is a player moving in the right direction on multiple axes simultaneously.
The Opportunity Is Real
Consistent playing time is half the battle with recently recalled players, and Encarnacion-Strand has logged plate appearances in every game over this stretch. Baltimore is giving him a legitimate look, and production like this tends to earn continued reps. The 3% roster rate means you have time — but that ownership velocity is trending up, and once a 3-homer week hits the mainstream fantasy radar, the window closes fast.
FantasyPros has already noted his recent power output, and High Stakes Fantasy Baseball flagged his recall. The broader fantasy community is starting to notice, which means the clock is ticking on this being a quiet add.
Position Context
Third base isn't a wasteland, but it's not overflowing with cheap power either. If you're currently running a middling option at the hot corner and wondering if someone like Isaac Paredes, Max Muncy, or Alec Bohm is the better hold, Encarnacion-Strand's upside could surpass all of them — if this is real. That's the operative word at 22 PA.
The Verdict: Watch
Do not add him over proven assets. But add him to every watchlist you have. Early signs suggest Christian Encarnacion-Strand could be emerging as a legitimate power contributor in Baltimore's lineup. If he logs another 20-30 PA at anything close to this production level — particularly if the strikeout rate holds — the classification upgrades and the add becomes urgent. For now, monitor daily. The signal is early but strengthening, and WaiverScout will be the first to tell you when it's time to move.