Cincinnati Reds: Five current players most likely to make the Hall of Fame

5. Nick Senzel, Centerfielder

Now, before I get completely laughed off your screen for putting Nick Senzel into this projection, let me explain. Granted, Senzel’s rookie year was not as impressive as Reds Country had hoped, and service time concerns along with injuries robbed him of a full season, but the talent to be an elite-level player at the major league level is there.

The last Reds rookie to receive as much hype as Nick Senzel was former first-round pick Jay Bruce. Bruce was a can’t-miss prospect who made his major league debut in 2008 and finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting that season. Believe it or not, when you put the rookie seasons of Bruce and Senzel side-by-side, they’re eerily similar.

Jay Bruce hit .254/.314/.453 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 108 games for the Reds in 2008. Last season, Nick Senzel hit .256/.315/.427 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 104 games. Senzel definitely does not possess the power of Bruce, but his plate discipline and athleticism are slightly better than Bruce.

Given that Senzel has played less than a season in the bigs, one that was shortened by injury, it’s difficult to project how well he’ll do in the future. However, the youngster has all the tools to be an All-Star caliber player. Jay Bruce went to three All-Star Games and won three Silver Sluggers during his Reds tenure. Cincinnati would be ecstatic if Senzel did the same.