Will Encarnacion get the call?
Could replace injured outfielder Kelly
By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer
If the Reds aren't going to call up Austin Kearns to replace Kenny Kelly on the 25-man roster, who will get the call?
Don't be surprised if it's third baseman Edwin Encarnacion who is with the team when they open a three-game series in Cleveland tonight. As of Thursday, an Edwin Encarnacion was registered at the Reds' hotel in Cleveland.
Kearns said he doesn't expect to get the call, and Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said on his radio show that calling up Kearns was "highly unlikely."
Encarnacion, 22, is generally considered the best prospect in the Reds organization. He has played well for Triple-A Louisville - .292, 12 home runs and 46 RBI with a .370 on-base percentage and a .503 slugging percentage.
He recently was named to both the International League All-Star team and the world team for the Futures Game.
The Reds might want to give him a taste of the big leagues. The three-game interleague series against Cleveland this weekend would give him a chance to get some at-bats.
Encarnacion is also the only position player on the 40-man roster other than Kearns with any kind of reputation as a hitter.