What a difference a year makes. Remember when Jerar Encarnacion was setting the Mexican League on fire with 19 home runs in just 107 plate appearances? That explosive stretch earned him a ticket to the San Francisco Giants in 2024. But baseball can be a humbling game.

Fast forward to today, and the 28-year-old outfielder is looking for a new home after a tough start to the season. The Giants designated him for assignment last week following a brutal .406 OPS in 35 trips to the plate. That's a far cry from the 1.428 OPS he posted with the Guerreros de Oaxaca.

Encarnacion cleared waivers and elected free agency on Sunday. But don't count him out just yet. According to Francys Romero of BeisbolFR, the Dominican Republic native is drawing serious interest from multiple MLB teams and three Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) clubs in Japan.

Injuries have been the main culprit for Encarnacion's struggles in San Francisco. A hand fracture, an oblique strain, and a hamstring strain limited him to just 19 Major League games in 2025. Over parts of three seasons with the Giants, he managed a .619 OPS with seven home runs—a far cry from the power display that made him a sought-after free agent just two years ago.

For a player who showed such raw power in Mexico, this could be a chance for a fresh start. Whether he stays stateside or takes his talents to Japan, Encarnacion's next chapter will be one to watch. Sometimes a change of scenery is all a hitter needs to rediscover his swing.