Christian Encarnacion-Strand Has Monster Night Against Beloit Sky Carp

STILLWATER – It was a monster night for former Oklahoma State third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand as the Cedar Rapids Kernals took care of business against the Beloit Sky Carp.

Encarnacion-Strand, who’s in his second season in the minor leagues, recorded nine (!) RBIs Friday night, as he went 4-for-5 from the plate, which includes a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth and a three-run blast over the center field wall in the bottom of the sixth.

Encarnacion-Strand was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round in the 2021 MLB Draft with the 128^th overall pick. He was assigned to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels towards the end of August 2021, where he appeared in 87 at-bats.

In 22 games, Encarnacion-Strand recorded 34 hits, 18 RBIs and four home runs. He also struck out 26 times and was walked five times. He finished the 2021 short season with a .391 average and a .598 slugging percentage.

In his lone season in Stillwater, Encarnacion-Strand finished the season hitting .361 on the season, with 82 hits, drove in 66 runs and belted and 15 home runs, which earned him All-America status.