Cincinnati Reds: Is Nick Senzel destined to play shortstop?

Is Saturday’s start at shortstop for the Louisville Bats a sign of things to come for Nick Senzel when he’s called up by the Cincinnati Reds?

Nick Senzel started his first career game at shortstop on Saturday for the Louisville Bats. The Cincinnati Reds are calling it a one-time thing. Is it, or are the Reds toying with the idea of bringing Senzel along as a shortstop when he finally sets foot in the Majors?

Look, it’s no secret, Cincinnati Reds fans are dying to see Senzel called up to the big leagues. And why not? Senzel is absolutely crushing the ball right now.

He spent several weeks absent from the Louisville Bats with a bout of vertigo. Senzel returned to the lineup on May 29th, and since his return, he’s been hitting the cover off the ball. He’s reached base safely in all but his first game back from the DL.

Over the last 10 games, Senzel’s raised his average from .263 to .305, while hitting .378 during that span. During that same time frame, Senzel has 17 hits and 9 RBIs.

So why is Senzel still in Triple-A? The answer is pretty simple – Senzel plays either third base or second base, and those spots are currently occupied by two players having All-Star caliber seasons.

Eugenio Suarez, the Reds third baseman is slashing .299/.388/.563 with 14 home runs and NL-leading 52 RBIs. Scooter Gennett, the Reds starting second baseman is slashing .336/.371/.579. Unless Gennett is traded, which is an unpopular discussion among fans right now, those two positions are off-limits for Senzel.

Does Senzel’s move to shortstop mean that the Reds are looking to move on from Jose Peraza? Not so fast. Peraza is only 24 years old, doesn’t become arbitration-eligible until 2020, and wouldn’t even become a free agent until 2023. The Reds can’t afford to move on from Peraza yet.

Honestly, I think the start at shortstop was exactly what the Reds claim it was; just a one-time  thing. In fact, here’s the quote from Cincinnati Reds’ manager Jim Riggleman via the Cincinnati Enquirer:

“(Louisville manager) Dick (Schofield) said he just put him over there. Just decided that he was going to get him a game there. He’s played a lot of second and third. I think he will be back at third today. Just a one-time thing.”

Now, should Peraza find himself on the disabled list, would that mean a call up for Nick Senzel. I doubt it. The Reds are unlikely to promote Senzel until they have a permanent, everyday spot for him. I can’t see him being used as an injury-replacement. That’s what Alex Blandino is for.

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For now, I think we can expect Senzel to continue to hone his craft in the minors until an opportunity presents itself. But rest assured, it will happen sooner rather than later.