Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel should be called up right now

Nick Senzel, the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect, is tearing up minor league pitching.

Nick Senzel flew through the first four levels of the Cincinnati Reds minor league system and is currently playing at the Triple-A level in Louisville. The second overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft is slashing .299/.376/.458 and trending upwards.

After a quick stint on the disabled list, Senzel came back swinging. The 22-year old was out for three weeks with vertigo only to come back on May 29 and start crushing. In the 15 games since his return, Senzel has put up a .339 average and walked 8 times. He currently has a 5 game hitting streak.

Senzel has batted leadoff in all 5 games of that streak, going 12-23 (.522) with 3 doubles. The Reds have struggled to find someone to lead off this season, so he could be the guy to finally fill that role.

So why is Senzel still in the minors, instead of with the big league club?

Senzel is young and athletic. He has played second base, shortstop, and third, and could easily learn a corner outfield spot.

“He’s not coming up until he has a place to play every day,” Reds GM Nick Krall said.

It is year four of a rebuild. The Reds are 25-43. At this point, the season is all but lost. No one is expecting this team to contend. Yet they are playing veterans over the number 5 prospect in baseball.

Senzel was drafted out of Tennessee as a third baseman. Eugenio Suárez currently has that position seemingly locked up with his 7-year contract extension. Suárez has also played shortstop in the majors and could easily slide back over there.

José Peraza has done nothing to prove that he should be the long-term shortstop for this team. The career .275/.310/.349 batter is an above average defender, but his 0.2 WAR on the season suggests that he’s replaceable. Suárez or even Senzel could take over at short.

The most obvious spot for Senzel is second base. Scooter Gennett seemed to come out of nowhere and have a career year. He is absolutely dominant this season and could be considered one of the best players in the league right now.

With no long-term contract or real reason to keep him, Gennett is a prime candidate for a trade. Even if he keeps up his current pace, he won’t bring the Cincinnati Reds into contention this season. He is a fan favorite, but keeping him on the team is doing nothing to help the future.

This team hasn’t had a winning record since 2013. Using veterans, when your top prospect is standing by waiting, won’t make the team better any faster.

Krall says there’s no room for Senzel. Then make room.