UIW’s strike-throwing RHP with upside, but the 2026 line has been uneven
Emir Encalada has worked as a rotation arm for Incarnate Word in the 2026 season, appearing in 12 games with six starts and 17 strikeouts over 21.0 innings, but his year has been volatile, with an ERA listed at 15.43 and 36 hits allowed[5][1]. He’s a right-handed pitcher with a sturdy 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame and a history as a multi-inning starter, which suggests durability and bullpen/rotation flexibility[2][5]. The appeal is raw projection and starter build; the caution flag is that he’s still searching for consistent command and damage prevention against better college lineups[1][3][4].
