The Reds are “contemplating” a call-up for top prospect Nick Senzel, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). The much-hyped 23-year-old could make it onto the roster as soon as this Friday, per the report.
Senzel might already have forced his way onto the MLB roster, but he had to overcome an injury incurred shortly after being optioned down late in camp. The Cincinnati organization had decided not to carry him on its Opening Day roster owing to some combination of a desire to give Senzel more time to adapt to playing in the outfield and service-time considerations.
The second overall pick of the 2016 draft, Senzel has thrived at the plate ever since joining the profession ranks. He carries a smooth .900 career OPS through just over a thousand trips to the plate at all levels. Expectations are that he’ll be a quality all-around performer right from the jump in the majors.
While the Reds understandably wanted to give Senzel a chance to get comfortable on the grass, where he’s moving after appearing almost exclusively as an infielder, the club needs to do everything possible to keep pace in a brutal NL Central division. It remains to be seen how the roster will be sorted once Senzel is up, but odds are he’ll receive the lion’s share of time in center after appearing there exclusively thus far this season at Triple-A.
Having waited to this point, the Reds are not at risk of allowing Senzel to accrue a full year of MLB service this season. That means the earliest he could qualify for free agency would be after the 2025 season. Should Friday prove to be the day for Senzel’s arrival, he could reach up to 150 service days this year, which would put him on track for eventual Super Two qualification.
Make it happen Dick
What are you waiting for? Schebler and Kemp are painful to watch.
But Kemp’s on the IL…sooooo
Probably from watching film. I said it was painful.
Jays keep Vlad down in the minors to control service time and they are considered an industry pariah.
Reds keep Senzel down for the exact same reason and it’s accepted as development.
Haters gonna hate.
He was hurt.
Where have you been?? People were griping about this the min that he didn’t break camp with them.
The dude has spent a few collective months in AAA. It’s not like he’s been tearing up pitching in Louisville for 2 years.
AND still learning a new position.
Exactly why I find it annoying when ill informed fans from other teams comment on another team. Stick to your J’s
Get Senzel off the field and in the big leagues already…
Ridiculous he’s still in the minors
This just in reds are still dreadful
Just in, imindless is mindless
Best pitching staff in the NL right now.
..what?
Check the numbers Rexx. They haven’t been hitting near their capability. Nowhere near.
This is just Business,it affects us all at one time or another,MANY Teams have done this, not just yours,get over it!
Finally took 5 weeks into the season for people to realize Cincy needs a CF. Knew that and said that a second after the Puig/Kemp trade.
Senzel has done enough for a promotion, although he may not be the answer in CF either from a defensive perspective. We’ll see.
You said it “after the Kemp trade”? Congrats. Where were you before that?
He has appeared in 50 games at AAA and only 57 at AA. It wasn’t like the Reds had him an a slow track to the majors. He just cannot stay healthy for more than a couple of months at a time.
Please oh please call him up. I need the non active spot on my fantasy team for others
Well apparently rumor has it he’ll be in Cincy on Friday
hope so
What’s the rush let him get more accustomed to playing the outfield and get some more AB’s in AAA the guy could use some more seasoning after the injury that cost him the end of last season and this latest one too
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Reed joining him on the bus Friday. They taxed their bullpen the last couple of days, and Duke hasn’t seen an inning since Saturday.
That’s because Duke has sucked!!
That was my point. He clearly has lost the confidence of Bell.
I would think Matt Bowman would be the better choice at this point over Reed to move up for the struggling Duke.
it will be Bowman
I saw the Bowman move, I just can’t believe they sent down another position player for him. A 3 man bench is pretty stupid.