Sizzling Nick Senzel and the Reds battle the Cubs in the not-so-friendly confines of Wrigley Field

Nick Senzel is beginning to show Reds fans why he was a first-round pick.

Granted it's only a week, but Nick Senzel is showing glimpses of what Reds Country has been waiting to see for the last three years. Over his last seven games, the Cincinnati Reds centerfielder is hitting .381 with four RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Perhaps being moved to the bottom of the batting order is just what the doctor ordered for Lil Senz. In five games in the eight-hole, the 26-year-old, former first-round pick is slashing .588/.611/.706 with a monster 1.317 OPS in 17 at-bats hitting eighth.

It's hard to believe, but the 46 games Senzel has appeared in this year are the most since the 104 games he's played during his 2019 rookie campaign. Even though he's in his fourth year in the big leagues, Reds Country still does not know exactly what kind of player he is.

What we do know is that Senzel is turning himself into an above-average defender in the outfielder with elite speed. According to Baseball Savant, the University of Tennessee alum owns a +1 OAA (outs above average) and ranks in the 84th percentile in sprint speed.

If Nick Senzel's bat catches up to his defense, the Reds will have another solid building block to add to the foundation for their next competitive ball club.

Prediction: Reds vs. Cubs

It's been a tough month for the Redlegs. Saddled with an 8-16 mark, Cincinnati has an opportunity to jump-start their July with a strong ending to June. Look for the Reds to take advantage of that opportunity by snagging two of three from the Cubs.

The Cincinnati Reds will need all the momentum they can muster as they open an 11-game homestand Friday night as the World Champion Atlanta Braves visit Great American Ball Park.