By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Edwin Encarnacion is not in the Reds' big-league plans for this year. But plans can change.

Reds prospect Edwin Encarnacion completes an acrobatic throw. (Michael E. Keating photo)

Encarnacion has gotten a chance to play early this spring and he's shown why Baseball America rated the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder the No. 2 prospect in the organization. In three starts, Encarnacion has gone 3-for-11 (.273) with a home run and a double.

Not bad for a 21-year-old getting his first taste of major league pitching.

"I feel good," he said. "It gives me confidence. They give me the opportunity, and I take it."

Encarnacion got some added playing time early because Brandon Larson missed two games with an eye infection.

"He's swung the bat well," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "He's one of our up-and-coming prospects. You can see he's very talented. He's going to get stronger."

Chris Chambliss, the Reds' new hitting coach, has been impressed as well.

"He's had good at-bats," Chambliss said. "I like his swing. He's a kid who looks like he can play. He just needs experience."

The taste of the big leagues will help.

"It's always a great experience for young players," Chambliss said. "They get to see how the pros work."

With the uncertainty on the left side of the infield - this is Barry Larkin's final season and Brandon Larson's future is murky - the Reds would like to see Encarnacion develop quickly.

But there is no way to accelerate a player's path to the majors. The conventional wisdom is Encarnacion needs at least another full year in the minors.

"You can't rush development," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "Nothing replaces time and experience."

The Reds tried to take a shortcut with Encarnacion last year. He began the season at Double-A Chattanooga, a two-level jump from Single-A Dayton. Encarnacion hit .282 with 17 home runs, 73 RBI and 25 steals at Dayton in 2002.

But he was overmatched at Double-A. He hit .220 in 31 games before he was dropped back to Single-A Potomac.

Encarnacion hit .321 with six home runs and 29 RBI in 58 games at Potomac.

He was promoted back to Chattanooga and hit .310 with four homers and 22 RBI in 36 games.

Encarnacion came to the Reds, along with Ruben Mateo, in a trade with Texas for Rob Bell in June 2001. O'Brien was an assistant general for the Rangers when Texas drafted Encarnacion in the ninth round.

"I saw quite a bit of him," O'Brien said. "He's a fine young man. He's making progress like was expected. He's a legitimate prospect."

The key for Encarnacion to get to the big leagues is his defense. He's committed 36, 40 and 40 errors the last three years.

"He's very talented," said coach Randy Whisler, who works with the infielders. "It's a matter of improving his footwork. When we clean up his footwork, you're going to see that talent."

How soon that talent arrives at Great American Ball Park depends on Encarnacion's development. He'd like it to be this year.

"I'm working hard," he said. "If they put me at Double-A, Triple-A, I'll work hard. I want to be (in the big leagues)."

Encarnacion's career

Year	Team	G	HR	RBI	Avg.
2000	Texas (R)	51	0	36	.311
2001	Savannah (A)	45	4	25	.306
	Dayton (A)	9	1	6	.162
	Billings (R)	52	5	25	.261
2002	Dayton (A)	136	17	73	.282
2003	Chattanooga (AA)	67	5	36	.272
	Potomac (A)	58	6	29	.321