Cincinnati Reds: What keeping Scooter Gennett means for prospects

The latest information regarding Scooter Gennett is that the Cincinnati Reds’ All-Star second baseman is staying put in the Queen City. What does that mean for several of the Reds’ infield prospects?

Scooter Gennett will be staying put. At least, that’s the latest information regarding the Cincinnati Reds‘ All-Star second baseman. Gennett is having a career-year, and recent comments by Gennett himself seem to indicate the Reds will be looking to lock up Gennett to a long-term deal. What, however, does that mean for several of the Reds’ infield prospects?

The Reds farm system is loaded with infield talent. In fact, they just added another top-flight infielder in last month’s draft when they selected Jonathan India. The problem for those prospects in the minor leagues is that Cincinnati’s current infield is loaded with talent also, and they don’t look to be leaving anytime soon.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, Scooter Gennett has had conversations with the Reds’ front office, and they appear to be interested in bringing back Gennett on a long-term deal. While that’s good news for Gennett and most of Reds Country, it’s not-so-good news for Cincinnati’s infield prospects.

The Reds are ripe with talent

The Cincinnati Reds have a gluttony of talented infielders in their minor league system. In fact, one of their top prospects, Dilson Herrera, was just recently called up to the big leagues. Herrera got his first Major League hit since 2015 during last night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Did I mention it was a deep fly to left field? Check it out.

Hererra was called up after the Reds sent utility infielder, Brandon Dixon back down to Triple-A Louisville. Hererra had been hitting the cover off the ball for the Bats.  Last night he demonstrated that same power with his first home run of the season.

While Hererra is up with the big boys showing off his stuff, the Reds’ top infield prospect and No. 1 overall player in their farm system, Nick Senzel, is on the disabled list with an injury to his right index finger. Senzel, who was sizzling in Triple-A Louisville, will miss the remainder of the season.

Pensacola is home to another one of the Reds top infield prospects. Shed Long, the starting second baseman for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos is the No. 5 overall prospect in the Reds organization, and the sixth highest-ranked second base prospect in all of baseball.

Long is slashing .259/.353/.427. He has 9 home runs and 37 RBIs on the season with the Reds’ Double-A affiliate. His glove is average, but with the power he possesses at 5’8″, it’s hard to argue seeing him at the Major-League level in the very near future.

The Reds also have Jeter Downs and Jose Isreal Garcia getting it done in Single-A Dayton. While both Downs and Garcia are viewed more as shortstops than second basemen, the two youngsters are capable of playing both positions.

Downs is hitting .265 with 10 homers and 37 RBIs. Garcia is only hitting .219 with a sub-.300 OBP. Garcia, however, is lightning quick on the base paths and can cover ground quickly in the field.

Downs has seen more time at second base than Garcia. However, both are highly skilled middle infielders and could find success at second base. Downs comes in at No. 6 and Garcia is No. 11 in according to the Reds pipeline. If Gennett is retained on a long-term deal, what are the Reds to do with all their middle infielders at the minor league level?

If Gennett stays, what happens to the Reds’ prospects

For starters, other than Senzel and Herrera, none of the Reds young prospects are ready for the Major Leagues. Shed Long could make the jump to Triple-A, and we may see him do just that very soon. As for Downs and Garcia, it’ll likely be a few more years before those two are ready for the big show.

If the Cincinnati Reds, as many fans hope, are able to contend in the very new future, players like Long, Downs, and Garcia could be nice trade chips to acquire quality pitching or outfield depth. Don’t be surprised if the Reds move on from one of their young prospects during the offseason.

As for Nick Senzel, I find it highly unlikely the Reds would trade their top prospect. However, stranger things have happened. Does the Reds’ front office want to keep Scooter Gennett at second base over the long haul? If so, something’s got to give with regards to Senzel.

Senzel could fetch a huge return if he were to be traded. There may be few concerns regarding his bouts of vertigo. However, it’s much more likely that Cincinnati moves Gennett or Senzel (most likely Gennett) opposite Jesse Winker in the outfield.

Scott Schebler, especially of late, has been excellent at the plate. However, Schebler is 27 years old and could be traded to make room for Gennett or Senzel in the outfield. Adam Duvall is arbitration eligible at season’s end.

Next: Is keeping Gennett a mistake?

The Reds have a problem, but it’s a good problem to have. They have too many skilled players that play the same position. Whether it’s through trades, changes in position or other creative means, the Cincinnati Reds should be able to find a way to get the most out of their talented batch of middle infielders.