Lorenzo Encarnacion Delivers First Career Save in Arizona Fall League Win
After missing all of 2024 with injury, Diamondbacks right-hander Lorenzo Encarnacion returned to the mound with purpose in 2025
SCOTTSDALE — Diamondbacks pitcher Lorenzo Encarnacion was the game’s unlikely hero. Inheriting a bases-loaded jam, with no safety net, the right-hander struck out both hitters he faced to preserve a 4-3 win at Salt River Fields. The win snapped a nine-game losing streak.
“Thanks to God, everything worked out the way it worked out,” said Encarnacion. “I spoke with the manager beforehand, and we were talking about the pitches I was going to throw. So everything was executed the way he did, and I was very thankful.”
The game also marked the first save in Encarnacion’s professional career. He’s worked primarily as a starter in 2023 and 2025, his last two healthy seasons, making 28 starts. Encarnacion said he’s blessed and very happy that the coaches trusted him with that opportunity.
2025 Season and Arizona Fall League Opportunity
Encarnacion missed the entire 2024 season with an injury. He bounced back in a big way in 2025. With Low-A Visalia, he pitched to a 3.43 ERA, a 24.7% strikeout rate, and a 7.5% walk rate.
After a promotion to Hillsboro, the right-hander struggled a bit in three starts before going on the injured list. Coming off the injured list, he pitched exclusively in relief with Hillsboro. He appeared in three games, totaling five innings.
“I’m very thankful, 2025 has been good to me. I did really well and I was really happy.”
Following the 2025 season, the right-hander sat out the first three weeks of the Arizona Fall League. While the D-backs didn’t have any specific goal in mind, his opportunities do showcase how he’d handle a potential relief role. Encarnacion has logged scoreless innings in each of his three appearances, including four consecutive strikeouts.
Out in Arizona, Encarnacion has a lot of familiar faces. Yordin Chalas, Kenny Castillo, David Hagaman, and Jansel Luis were his teammates in Hillsboro to close out the 2025 season.
“I’m really happy that I have really good teammates. It has helped me feel more acclimated.”
Future Outlook
His last six appearances in total have been in relief. That may have been a result of the organization adding a lot of pitching prospects at his level. At the deadline, they picked up David Hagaman and Ashton Izzi, who finished the season in Hillsboro’s rotation.
In total, he features a very deep arsenal. It starts with a low 90’s fastball (91-93 MPH), but he can also mix in a sinker, cutter, curveball, slider, sweeper, and a changeup.
“I’m very thankful the D-backs organization has helped me develop those pitches. I am an easy learner with every pitch.”
As a reliever, it may come down to streamlining his pitch usage based on matchups. He spins a tight breaking ball and can get a lot of horizontal movement on his sweeper and changeup.
Encarnacion’s future in the D-backs system will be interesting. He’ll turn 24 next week and is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft for the first time this offseason. He doesn’t have a clear path forward as a starter, especially after the trade deadline, so they may have to consider other possibilities to move him up the system.
“I don’t know yet, but whatever they feel is best for me, I’m going to work hard and I’m going to go for it.”