Cincinnati Reds need to follow the Cubs example with Nick Senzel

What position will Nick Senzel play next season for the Cincinnati Reds? It appears that he’ll play anywhere on the field, just as Kris Bryant does for the Cubs.

The debate amongst Cincinnati Reds fans has persisted all year. What position will Nick Senzel play? The answer may be quite simple. It appears as though Senzel will play wherever he is needed. It works for the Chicago Cubs and Kris Bryant, so why not give it a try with Senzel?

Nick Senzel may be the most anticipated prospect the Cincinnati Reds have had since Jay Bruce. Even before the start the 2018 season, fans were clamoring for the Reds’ top prospect to get a spot on the big league roster. That didn’t happen, and instead, he started the season at Triple-A Louisville.

Then, just eight games into the 2018 season, Eugenio Suárez was plunked on the hand during an at-bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Suárez was diagnosed with a fractured thumb and was placed on the disabled list.

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This was it. Senzel’s chance had come. Yes, the Reds had been working with Senzel at second base, but he played third base in college and surely he could play the position at the Major League level. But alas, the Reds decided not to pull the trigger and kept Senzel in the minor league. Geno would recover quickly and he returned to the Reds a few weeks later.

Then came Senzel’s bout with vertigo. In early May, while hitting .274 with a .351 on-base percentage, Senzel was sent to the disabled list on May 9th. The condition typically causes loss of balance and dizziness. Senzel experienced a similar struggle at the close of last season while playing at Double-A Pensacola.

A few weeks later, Senzel’s condition improved and he resumed baseball activities in Arizona before returning to the Louisville Bats on May 29th. Upon his return, Senzel went on a tear. After two straight games of not getting a hit, Senzel ripped off 19 consecutive games of reaching base safely, including an 11-game hitting streak.

Once again, just as it seemed that Senzel was catching fire and ready to join the Reds in some capacity, a freak injury to a tendon in his hand caused Senzel to miss the remainder of the 2018 season. He surely would have been called up to the Majors in September, if not before.

Nick Senzel’s injury, however, was not serious enough for him to miss the Arizona Fall League. In fact, once the Fall League rosters were released, Reds fans saw a glimpse of what might be in store for the top prospect next spring. The Reds were going to give Senzel a look in the outfield.

Now, it’s being reported by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that Shawn Pender, the Vice President of Player Development for the Reds, doesn’t see a position on the field that Senzel couldn’t play. Apparently, Senzel has been getting help from two former Reds, Eric Davis and Reggie Williams, with his adjustment to the outfield.

All of this is fantastic news for the Reds and it makes for some interesting roster decisions this offseason. Or does it? Scooter Gennett, who plays Senzel’s primary position at second base, is in the final year of arbitration eligibility and is seeking a long-term contract.

Billy Hamilton, also in the last year of arbitration eligibility, has a lot of question marks surrounding his offensive prowess. But, Hamilton’s defense and speed makes him a valuable piece to the Reds when he’s in the field or on the base paths.

So, here’s a wild idea. Instead of moving either Gennett or Hamilton, why not keep them and utilize Senzel as a super utility player? This is essentially what the Chicago Cubs do with Ben Zobrist and Kris Bryant.

Zobrist, who hit .305 last season with a .378 on-base percentage didn’t have a regular spot in the lineup. While he played in 139 games, he lined up all over the field. He was all over the outfield, saw time at first and second base.

Bryant, the former Rookie of the Year and MVP, isn’t just exclusively a third baseman. In order to make room for rookie sensation David Bote at third base, Bryant played several games in the outfield.

This is the formula that may be most advantageous for the Cincinnati Reds in 2019. A player of Senzel’s talent cannot just be kept at the minor league level because of certain players in the big leagues playing “their” spot. You have to think outside the box.

Nick Senzel will be an impact player for the Reds next year. His plate discipline and ability to make contact make him a terror at the plate. He’s not overly powerful, but he can still hit the ball out of the ballpark. Imagine Senzel hitting leadoff or in the No. 2 hole with the bats of Joey Votto, Gennett, and Suárez hitting behind him.

Nick Senzel might not be with the club directly out of Spring Training and on the Opening Day roster, but he won’t be away from the Major League club for long. With a player like Senzel on the roster, the Reds can give adequate rest to all their regulars while still giving the rookie-to-be plenty of chances to impact the game. As much as I hate to say it, the Reds just need to follow the Cubs example.