Cincinnati Reds: What position will Nick Senzel play?
By Jason Evans
The Cincinnati Reds gave Eugenio Suarez a six year extension. Where does that leave top prospect Nick Senzel?
For the Cincinnati Reds, the past few seasons have involved a heavy rebuild around first baseman Joey Votto. One of the young pieces they have been able to develop is third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who was acquired for Alfredo Simon back in 2014. Suarez signed a seven year extension, worth $66 million yesterday.
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Their top prospect, Nick Senzel, is also a third baseman. He is mlbpipeline.com’s seventh overall prospect. So with the contract to Suarez, where does this leave Senzel?
Well, Suarez has 180 games of experience as a shortstop at the major league level. Although, Suarez has a -17 DRS at short, while he’s +7 DRS at third for his career per Fangraphs. Right now, Jose Peraza is locked in a shortstop, however, should he falter, the Reds can turn Peraza into a super utility kind of player, that all teams love to have on their bench, especially in the National League.
Thus far in Spring Training, Senzel has played at third and shortstop. With the ways team shift their infield defense, could it even matter who is technically at third and at shortstop?
"“If we can compile guys like that, very good offensive players with defensive flexibility, that is the player of the future,” Williams said"
The Houston Astros had this kind of “problem” a couple of seasons ago. Alex Bregman was one of the top prospects in the game. However, he was mainly a shortstop, but Carlos Correa was there. The club didn’t like their production at the position, so they moved Bregman to third and we all saw how that went last season.
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When the Cincinnati Reds decide to call up Senzel, probably as soon as this season, maybe even as a late April call-up to get that extra year of control, they will find a spot for him. Teams will make room for elite talent, and Senzel has a chance to be that guy.
Suarez and Senzel together can help solidify the Cincinnati Reds left side of the infield for years to come. However, if neither prove up to snuff defensively at short, the Reds may have to re-think this plan.