MLB Playoffs: Three most unlikely Reds players to be postseason heroes

2. Nick Senzel, Reds centerfielder

The Reds don’t need Nick Senzel to reach the lofty exceptions that come with being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, but it sure would be great if he did so during the MLB Playoffs. Reds coaches, front office staff and fans alike have been waiting for that signature moment of Senzel’s young career. This postseason could be just that for the second-year outfielder.

To say that Senzel’s road to the majors has been a bumpy one would be an understatement. After a stellar career at the University of Tennessee, Senzel was taken in the first-round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. After back-to-back successful seasons in the minors, it looked like Senzel was on his way to stardom at the big leagues.

Unfortunately, a string of injuries too numerous to count have befallen the young prospect, and his inability to stay on the filed has drastically impeded Nick Senzel’s development. The transition from third base to the outfield probably hasn’t helped, but the 25-year-old seems comfortable on the outfield grass.

It’s in the batter’s box where Senzel needs to make his mark. Last season, Senzel started out well, but an adjustment to his swing by former hitting coach Tuner Ward sent Senzel’s promising rookie season into a tailspin. A season-ending injury put Senzel on the shelf for the last several weeks of the 2019 season and offseason surgery slowed his progress this spring.

The 2020 MLB Playoffs will give Nick Senzel an opportunity to put all the bad vibes behind him and focus on good vibes only. Senzel has all the tools to be an All-Star level talent, but he has to stay healthy. He’ll likely be hitting out of the No. 7 hole, and the Cincinnati Reds could really use some extra offense from the bottom-third of the batting order.