Reds: Tyler Naquin has replaced Nick Senzel as long-term centerfielder

Tyler Naquin is riding a 10-game hitting streak and his play of late gives the Cincinnati Reds some long-term security in center field. During his last 10 starts, Naquin is hitting .410 with three home runs and seven RBIs and posting a 212 wRC+.

Naquin’s success this season and Nick Senzel’s injury-riddled past suggest that the Reds’ former first-round pick may not have a starting spot in the Cincinnati lineup if and when the 26-year-old returns from the IL.

Nick Krall basically said as much last week when Senzel was optioned to Triple-A. The team then decided to reverse course and Senzel was instead placed back on the injured list and sent the team’s complex in Arizona. Here’s what Krall had to say last week, via The Cincinnati Enquirer, regarding Senzel’s standing with the organization:

"“Right now, if we bring him to the club, who goes down? There are only so many players that are optionable right now and I think that’s the main factor. He had some flexibility. We felt the guys up here were playing well, so we want to keep this group together for right now and keep moving forward.”"

Tyler Naquin should be the Reds’ starting centerfielder moving forward.

That quote from Nick Krall says it all, doesn’t it? The Reds’ GM makes it out to be about options, and while that’s certainly part of the equation, let’s not pretend like there weren’t other players whom Cincinnati could have parted ways with.

Heath Hembree, who was recently designated for assignment, comes to mind. As does Sean Doolittle, Amir Garrett, and Jeff Hoffman. All three of those pitchers are likely to be on pins and needles when Tejay Antone returns next week.

Heading into the final month-plus of the 2021 season, it’s questionable if Nick Senzel will even find his way back onto the field. However, if he does, expect it to be in a reserve role similar to what we’ve seen from Eugenio Suarez.

Tyler Naquin should be the Cincinnati Reds starting centerfielder for the remainder of the 2021 season, and with two years of team control remaining, the 30-year-old is the odds-on favorite to snag the starting role again in 2022.

The only way that I foresee Naquin not starting in center field for the Reds in 2022 is if Nick Castellanos bolts the Queen City during free agency. If that’s the case, Tyler Naquin could very well be Cincinnati’s starting right fielder when the 2022 baseball season begins.