Toronto Blue Jays Player Profile: Edwin Encarnacion

The Blue Jays currently sit three games back of Baltimore in the AL East. They had an amazing series against the Phillies where scoring runs came as no struggle. They looked to take that momentum to Baltimore, but failed to win that series. They have two off days this week, hosting the struggling NL West Diamondbacks between them. They will need to have a strong final few weeks before the All Star break to contend for the AL East title again this season.

Speaking of the All Star game, this weeks’ player profile looks into the career of Edwin Encarnacion. His patented Edwing is beloved by fans and he has established himself as one of the games’ best power hitters of the past five years. Although the starting DH job at the All Star game this season will go to David Ortiz, and rightfully so, Edwin should find himself at the midsummer classic as well.

Drafted 274th overall by the Texas Rangers back in 2000, Edwin made his MLB debut on June 24th 2009 for the Cincinnati Reds where he played the first four and a half years of his big league career. Over his 514 games for the Reds he played third base in all but 67. He was never regarded for having a good glove and managed to record 74 errors in that span, an average of one every six games. Playing in the NL without the DH spot required Edwin to play in the field and without the speed or agility to play the outfield or up the middle, along with upstart Joey Votto controlling first base duties, the 3B role fell to him.

Over his time in Cincinnati he recorded 109 doubles, 71 home runs, and 263 RBI’s. Arguably his best season with the Reds came in 2007 where he batted .289 with 16 HR and 76 RBI’s. The following season did see his power numbers rise with 26 HR, but his average fell to .251. Most managers will gladly give up a few average points with their power hitters, but I myself would much rather have a .290 bat with less pop than a .250 bat with it.

Then came the trade on July 31st, 2009 which would see Edwin as a ‘throw in’ when the Reds traded him along with RHP Josh Roenicke to the Blue Jays for 3B Scott Rolen. I think we all know who won out on that trade. Edwin’s poor glove made playing in the National League a poor fit, but in Toronto he’d have the opportunity to transition to the DH role where he would turn out to flourish in.

Edwin did play third base in 142 games for Toronto but recorded 29 errors in that span. Having an error approximately every four games would not keep you on many rosters. The Blue Jays had a young talent in Brett Lawrie ready to control the hot corner and Edwin’s days of monitoring third base were over, and justifiably so.

In his first full season with the Blue Jays, back in 2010, Edwin played in 96 games where he hit 21 home runs and drove in 51. The following season saw him earn more playing time, suiting up for 134 games, hitting 17 home runs with 36 doubles and 55 RBI’s. Then came 2012, and one of the biggest breakout seasons in club history came to fruition.

Edwin blasted 42 home runs and drove in 110 RBI’s during the 2012 season. A breakout performance like that, especially seven years into a players’ MLB career, is rarely seen. Although one season does not make a career he had firmly established himself as a force at the plate this season. Would it be a one and done performance though, 2013 came with a lot of questions and he answered them with a thunderous roar.

Ever since that 2012 season Edwin has been a predominant bat in the Blue Jays line-up, consistently hitting 30+ home runs and 100+ RBI’s. He strikes fear into any pitcher that stands across him on the mound and with guys like Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson batting ahead of him this season, another 100 RBI campaign is near certain. He already has 61 this year, with 18 HR, and we’re not even at the half way point.

Edwin has played in 868 games as a Blue Jay and in that time has hit 207 home runs and is closing in on 600 RBI’s as a Jay currently sitting at 590. He is a career .266 batter and is closing in on two major career milestones himself, 300 HR (286) and 900 RBI’s (876). If this is his last season in Toronto he will be dearly missed by Jays fans, but he will surely, at least I hope, have a permanent spot in Rogers Centre someday, with his name among other Blue Jay greats in the Ring of Honour.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter @Encadwin along with myself @GHam614. Voting for the All Star game ends on June 30th so be sure to fill out your ballot and send the Blue Jays to the midsummer classic.

I’d like to end by dedicating this article to my father Garry. He has been not just my coach on the diamond but in life and for that I am truly grateful. He lost his own father back in November and it is a void that can never be filled. No matter if you’re 5 or 50, spend time with your dad’s because you never know when that time will go away. Call them, play a game of catch, listen to their bad jokes. After you have read this, go and do just that. To all the father’s out there reading this, thank you.