Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel does this every time he reaches base

While exuberant celebrations have been a theme in the early-going for the Cincinnati Reds, so has scoring runs; something Nick Senzel has been very good at. With a 3-for-3 stat line during last night’s 14-1 route of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Senzel racked up three singles and three runs scored. Senzel has scored a run every time he’s reached base so far this season.

While a lot of the fans’ focus has centered around Nick Castellanos, Jonathan India, and, of late, Tyler Naquin, Nick Senzel has quietly put together a solid start to the 2021 season. If Senzel can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for the former first-round pick.

Reds centerfielder Nick Senzel has scored seven runs so far this season.

Nick Senzel, who left the Opening Day affair against the St. Louis Cardinals with a shoulder injury, returned to the lineup last Saturday as a defensive replacement after Jesse Winker left with an apparent illness.

Senzel went 0-for-2 during the first two games of the season and didn’t reach base until he drew in the bottom of the sixth inning during Sunday’s finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The 25-year-old advanced to third base on a Jonathan India single and scampered home on a wild pitch from Ryan Helsley.

Senzel went 0-for-2 during Monday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but reached base safely after drawing a pair of base on balls. In the bottom of the second inning, Reds pitcher Jose De Leon helped his cause, as he poked a single through the left side of the infield allowing Senzel to score from second base.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, with Cincinnati clinging to a one-run advantage, Senzel reached on a walk and made his way to second base following a single by India. Senzel scored his third run of the season on a line drive double by Aristides Aquino. The Reds took a 5-2 lead and won the game 5-3.

Reds centerfielder Nick Senzel got his first hit of the season last night.

It took him a few games, but Nick Senzel finally got his first hit of the 2021 season during last night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Senzel’s bloop single in the second inning put a crooked number in the stat line of his batting average and the third-year outfielder scored on Tyler Naquin’s home run.

Senzel’s second hit of the night came on a line drive up the middle, and following an attempted pick off at first base, the Reds’ centerfielder flew around the base paths and ended up at third base. Senzel would later score on a sacrifice fly.

Senzel once again reached safely on a walk during the fifth inning. Hitting in the No. 6 spot in the batting order, Senzel fell behind 0-2 in the count, but fought back to work a walk. He’d later score on a double by Reds’ catcher Tucker Barnhart.

Finally, Senzel reached base on a single in the sixth inning, and the former No. 2 overall pick rounded the bases and scored on Jonathan India’s triple. After crossing home plate, the Cincinnati Reds led the Pittsburgh Pirates by a score of 6-0. The Reds won the game by a final of 14-1.

Nick Senzel is crucial to the team’s success in 2021. Yes, Nick Castellanos has come out of the gates swinging, and everyone is excited about Jonathan India, but, except for Michael Lorenzen, there’s no better athlete on this year’s Reds team than Senzel. His ability to manufacture runs and put Cincinnati on the scoreboard will be vital this season.