Longest names in MLB history: Where Reds rookie Christian Encarnacion-Strand ranks all time

The Reds are calling a big-name prospect up to the majors.

It was reported the team is promoting corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the big leagues, reinforcing the lineup with another power bat acquired during the team's recent rebuilding efforts.

Encarnacion-Strand has put on a clinic in Triple-A this year. In 316 plate appearances, he has bashed his way to a .331/.405/.637 slash line with 20 home runs. He has walked at a career-best 10.4 percent clip and struck out at a career-low 21.8 percent rate while working to resolve any concerns over his plate discipline.

While Encarnacion-Strand's prodigious power has made him one of the game's top prospects, his name is also at the top of the scouting scale: There aren't many players who have ever had a last name even close to his range, and his full first and last name only adds to the history he'll make when he debuts.

MORE: Encarnacion-Strand becomes next prospect to join Cincinnati youth movement

Though his last name is entertaining to see rolled out on a jersey, he will be more limited than fans expect. Per The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans, he'll just display "Encarnacion" on his jersey, cutting off the "-Strand" part to his name.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, just called up, will have the longest NOB ever to appear on a big league jersey — if the Reds let him wear it. https://t.co/WIo5D8h2H5

— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) July 17, 2023

Regardless, here's how Encarnacion-Strand's last name ranks all time among MLB's longest names.

Longest last names in MLB history

Once Encarnacion-Strand reaches the majors, he will immediately become a record-holder just by playing a game.

According to data from the Lahman Database, no player in MLB history has had 18 or more characters in their last name — until Encarnacion-Strand. The closest is Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, whose last name reaches 16 characters (with the space).

Here's a look at all the last names that are at least 13 characters (including spaces).

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Theoretically, there is a scenario in which Minnesota has two players on the same team with the two longest last names in MLB history. The Twins traded Encarnacion-Strand to the Reds, along with Spencer Steer and Steve Hajjar, in exchange for right-hander Tyler Mahle.

That combination would have kept Minnesota's locker room short on letters to print on the jerseys.

All 15 letters accounted for. pic.twitter.com/rZuA1yZQpi

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 2, 2022

Longest full names in MLB history

Having the longest last name in MLB history helps crack this list, and putting a first name of Christian in front pushes him over the edge.

In addition to holding the record for the longest last name in MLB history, Encarnacion-Strand will also have the distinction of the longest full name. Including spaces, his full name is 28 characters, surpassing the previous record held by Woods Richardson at 23.

Here's a look at the MLB players with the longest full names (including spaces):