Christian Encarnacion-Strand Promoted to Wichita

July 14, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release

Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids Kernels third baseman and two-time Midwest League Player of the Month Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been promoted to AA Wichita by the Minnesota Twins. In a corresponding move, outfielder Kennie Taylor has been reinstated from the 7-day Injured List. With today's transactions, the Kernels active roster now stands at 30 players.

Encarnacion-Strand played in 74 games this season with the Kernels, slashing .296/.370/.599 for a .969 OPS and earned MWL Player of the Month honors in both April and June. The Twins' No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline (No. 14 per Baseball America) smashed 23 doubles, three triples and 20 home runs while knocking in 68 and scoring 52 runs. He was 7-for-8 on stolen bases. At the time of his promotion, Encarnacion-Strand leads the Midwest League in home runs, RBI, doubles, extra-base hits and total bases; ranks second in hits, slugging and OPS while landing third in runs scored and fourth in batting average. The Oklahoma State product by way of Yavapai College was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Amateur Draft by Minnesota.

Taylor returns to the roster after missing 12 games due to a left hamstring strain. With Cedar Rapids, Taylor has slashed .235/.309/.318 for a .626 OPS while scoring 13 runs in 25 games played. Over his last five games prior to his IL stint, the outfielder was 7-for-14 (.500) with five runs scored.

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