Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel is the center of attention

One week into camp, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell likes the outfield potential displayed by Nick Senzel.

Nick Senzel’s progress in Cincinnati Reds camp may be solving two problems.

“There’s no question he can do it,” Reds manager David Bell told the Cincinnati Enquirer.   “He’s put in the work.”

Bell made that judgment after just one week of spring games. Senzel has batted .462 in those games, and he’s impressed Bell both with his work ethic and his play in the outfield. Now, Bell said, the biggest need is merely for the touted rookie to accumulate experience.

“It’s going to take the game experience which just can’t replicate, which we’re focused on for the rest of spring training,” Bell said.

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In his college and minor league career, Senzel, 23, was used mostly as an infielder. But the Reds are grooming him in center to succeed Billy Hamilton, who was traded away over the winter. They already are set in the infield with Scooter Gennett, Jose Peraza and Eugenio Suarez at second, short and third.

If Senzel proves he can play center field, that not only would fill the gap left by Hamilton’s departure, it might also enable the Reds to approach Gennett with a multi-year extension offer.

That’s something Reds officials have been hesitant to do until Senzel’s outfield play eliminated the need to consider restricting his future use to the infield. Gennett has been outspoken in his concern about not having received an extension offer.

Senzel, the Reds’ No. 1 prospect and rated the No. 6 prospect overall by MLB Pipeline, has made four starts in center field this spring.

His biggest competition for the job is considered to be Scott Schebler, who played in 107 games last season. Schebler batted .255 with 17 home runs, and remains listed as the front-runner at the position on the Reds depth chart.

Despite the early rave reviews, one Cincinnati Reds option is to send Senzel to the minors. Slowed by injuries, he made only 171 minor league at bats last season, and did not play in a major league game. So the experience question lingers.

“It’s going to come down to what’s best for him, what’s best for our roster” Bell said.

For his part, Nick Senzel said he views the question as merely one of time. “I’m just getting more comfortable,” he said. “I haven’t had too much action out here.”