Prospect spotlight: Jerar Encarnacion’s power and athleticism a rare mix the Marlins value

JUPITER, Fla. — You could say Jerar Encarnacion has light-tower power.

No, Encarnacion hasn’t gone Roy Hobbs and destroyed the lights hanging high above Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

But in only his second at-bat at the Marlins’ spring-training home, Encarnacion did hit the roof. He sent a baseball soaring well over 400 feet and onto the top of the building beyond the left-field wall.

The next night, Marlins CEO Derek Jeter and other members of the front office were in attendance to watch the Jupiter Hammerheads, their Advanced-A affiliate.

Encarnacion gave them an encore, going 3-for-5 with a double and another home run, two runs and two RBIs.

Former Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton is in a rare class when it comes to raw power.

But Encarnacion’s consistent hit-first tool and an ability to spread those homers to all fields should earn the 21-year-old a major-league opportunity in the next couple of years.

“We’ve never had a guy with his height (6-4) that can do some of the things he can do,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “He’s a physical kid and leverages the ball well. You don’t put him in the discussion with Stanton, but he’s the closest thing to that skill set. But with Jerar, he’ll hit for power and he’ll get his three (hits) a day also.”

While not in the same age group, Encarnacion grew up playing in the same Dominican Republic parks as Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara.

He said the first time he hit a ball over 400 feet he was 13 years old playing in Santo Domingo.

“People saw that and immediately wanted to stay and practice,” Encarnacion said. “I didn’t even believe I could sign with a team.”

The Marlins discovered him by chance while scouting other players and signed him in August of 2015 for $78,000.

With no hugely promising long-term outfield options currently in the majors, it has created an opportunity for prospects like Encarnacion in the coming years.

Monte Harrison figures to be the next to get a shot.

Lewis Brinson is also working toward a chance to return.

But Encarnacion, who was recently ranked the Marlins’ No. 19 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, could shoot right past loads of others in the system and earn a call up as early as 2021.

Should that happen, scouts think he could provide an impact with his fielding and speed as well as his power.

“We always knew he could play Gold Glove defense in right field,” Hill said. “He’s been able to get more consistent with the bat. He’s still young and just getting introduced to playing a full season of pro baseball for the first time.”

Encarnacion’s numbers have consistently impressed at each new level to which he’s been promoted over the past couple of years.

After hitting .284/.305/.448 with four home runs at short-season Batavia last year, Encarnacion impressed scouts for three months at Single-A Clinton (Iowa) by hitting 10 home runs and slashing .298/.363/.478 with 43 RBIs in 255 at-bats. While the sub-30-degree temperatures hindered many batters in the early months of the season, Encarnacion stayed hot.

We could get used to this guy playing for the Hammerheads. #HammerDown pic.twitter.com/4iCncAKU1N

— Jupiter Hammerheads (@GoHammerheads) June 28, 2019

“He’s so good at hitting the ball the other way that he gets in trouble when he tries to pull and tries to lift too much,” said former Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs, now the manager of the club’s affiliate in Clinton. “When he lets the ball come to him and hits it to all fields, he’s one of the best hitters in this league. He has power to all fields, and in the outfield for as big as he is, he plays it really well. He runs well and gets good reads off fly balls and has an absolute bazooka for an arm. I sometimes root for someone to hit it to him so I can watch him throw someone out. He’s been fun to watch.”

One scout compared him to Seattle Mariners right fielder Domingo Santana — but with potentially more power.

“It’s effortless,” the scout told The Athletic. “If he can figure it out pull side, he’s going to be really good.”

According to FanGraphs, Encarnacion pulled the ball 42.7 percent of the time while at Clinton and hit to the opposite field 31.4 percent. Those numbers have evened out so far at Jupiter, where Encarnacion is hitting an even 26.3 percent to both sides.

Over his first seven games with Jupiter, Encarnacion has picked up where he left off, hitting .367 with a 1.024 OPS and .458 wOBA over his first 33 plate appearances.

He continues to work on pulling the ball more effectively to counter pitchers who have tried to work him inside.

“I think I’ve improved my ability to pull the ball because that’s something I haven’t done very well so far in my career,” Encarnacion said. “Since I got here (from the Dominican Republic), I came in focused on that. I’ve always had power, so I’ve tried to make more consistent contact.”

Encarnacion, who was born in the town of Bayaguana, grew up with his parents, Manuel and Carmela, and his brother, Anderson.

Anderson would often take Jerar to the park and teach him how to play the game. Jerar became the first in his family to sign to play professional baseball.

Anderson played outfield just like Jerar but never got the opportunity to sign with a pro team. Because of their seven-year age difference, they only got to play together a couple of times in a local softball league.

“He used to always tell me, ‘Just make contact — the ball will travel off your bat because you have the power,’” Encarnacion said.

Encarnacion’s brother is often on his mind.

Last spring, while riding a motorcycle in Santo Domingo, Anderson was killed in an accident at age 27.

“I used to want to ride (his motorcycle) when he had it at home, but he wouldn’t let me,” Encarnacion said. “He never wanted me to get hurt. He wanted me to be safe. When he got over there during Holy Week last year, he fixed it up and bought tires for it and everything. And then the accident happened.

Encarnacion keeps a memory of his brother close, wearing a gold medallion his brother gave him years ago under his jersey during games.

“He used to take care of me, almost like a second father,” Encarnacion said. “He cared for how I ate and made sure I had whatever I needed.”

Encarnacion hopes his parents will soon get the chance to see him in Jupiter and watch him play in the United States for the first time.

“It’s something that would be very emotional for me,” Encarnacion said. “I’m just very grateful I’ve been able to take this next step in my career and I thank God for that.”

(Photos: Ryan Dowd / Jupiter Hammerheads)