J.C. Encarnacion returns to Ducks

(Central Islip, N.Y., Jan. 15, 2025) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of outfielder JC Encarnacion. The four-year Atlantic League veteran returns for his second season with the Ducks and ninth in professional baseball.

“We look forward to having JC back on Long Island,” said Ducks Manager Lew Ford. “He adds speed and power to our lineup while also playing terrific defense in the outfield.”

Encarnacion rejoins the Ducks after playing 78 games with the team during the 2024 season. He compiled an .800 OPS and stole a team-leading 39 bases, which equaled the sixth-most stolen bases in a single Ducks season and ranked eighth in the Atlantic League. The Dominican Republic native added 17 home runs, 56 RBIs, 63 runs, 75 hits, 12 doubles, two triples and 29 walks. His season was highlighted by a walk-off three-run home run on August 4 against Lancaster and a two-homer, six-RBI, four-hit game on August 28 at York, all tied for single game season-highs by a Duck.

The 26-year-old came to Long Island after spending two seasons with York (2021-22) and one with Lexington (2023). In his four Atlantic League seasons, he has accrued a .276 batting average and an .803 OPS along with 57 homers, 230 RBIs, 245 runs, 392 hits, 77 doubles, 18 triples and 102 stolen bases over 396 games. Prior to his ALPB career, he spent three seasons apiece with the Atlanta Braves (2016-18) and Baltimore Orioles (2018-19, ‘21) organizations, reaching as high as Triple-A Norfolk in 2021 and earning South Atlantic League All-Star honors in 2018. Encarnacion was originally signed by the Braves as an international free agent in 2016.

The Ducks open the 2025 regular season, presented by Catholic Health, on Friday, April 25, against the Lancaster Stormers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). Season ticket plans, mini plans and group ticket packages are now available. For more information or to secure your seats, please call (631) 940-3825.

The Long Island Ducks are entering their 25th Anniversary season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for four consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 713 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).