Cincinnati Reds name Nick Senzel starting second baseman in Louisville

After signing third baseman Eugenio Suarez to a contract extension, the Cincinnati Reds moved top prospect Nick Senzel, again.

Let what the Cincinnati Reds are doing sink in.  They have asked their top prospect, Nick Senzel, to learn two new positions this spring.  This move was anticipated, until Scooter Gennett came along.

During the draft process, teams projected Senzel as a second baseman to start his career.  They questioned his arm strength at the MLB level.  Most teams saw him growing into third base.

Now the Reds are checking to see if the former college second baseman can successfully move back there.  In spring training the Reds had Senzel focused on shortstop.  He was competent but uninspiring there.

Once the Reds decided that Senzel was going to begin the season in Triple-A, his position came into question.  Blake Trahan is likely to start at shortstop there.  That leaves second and third for Senzel and another recently demoted former top prospect, Alex Blandino.

Want your voice heard? Join the Blog Red Machine team!

Write for us!

Blandino, Senzel, and Brandon Dixon are all multi-positional prospects with offensive upsides.  Senzel is the only one that is still viewed as an everyday MLB player.  The other two are seen as bench players or pinch hitters once they reach the MLB level.

The Cincinnati Reds finally appear to have a plan in place for Nick Senzel.

More from Reds News

• Reds vs. Pirates: Pitching preview, prediction, and more
• Reds appropriately designate reliever Brad Brach for assignment
• Reds: 3 reasons why Jonathan India will win NL Rookie of the Year
• Reds: Despite six straight series defeats, Cincinnati is still contending
• Reds: It’s time to end Asdrúbal Cabrera’s brief tenure in Cincinnati

As Senzel screamed through the minor leagues, he was playing third base at an elite level.  The inevitable conflict with Suarez seemed preordained.  There was no way, though, that Senzel was going anywhere.

Now, the Reds have likely bought themselves several years for Senzel.  Suarez signed a seven-year extension, but Senzel only projects as a second baseman for about his first three MLB seasons.  Everything is so fluid in MLB, though, so that is enough of a plan.

The nice thing about Senzel at second is that he could back-up Gennett and Suarez at any time.

Plus Gennett has the flexibility to play the outfield, if Senzel became the everyday starting second baseman.  This plan is well thought out.

The other issue is that the Reds have a strong set of shortstop prospects.  Every level has a shortstop that projects as a better option than Jose Peraza.  That means that Senzel can focus elsewhere.

Next: Reds should trade third baseman Eugenio Suarez

The relief here is that the Reds finally seem engaged on how to get Senzel MLB playing time.  Unless he has trouble at second base, Senzel should make his MLB debut this season.  Once that happens the cat will be out of the bag.