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The Senzel Factor: 2020 DH Would Give Reds A Lot Of Options

By Jeff Todd | May 14, 2020 at 2:59pm CDT

With the DH likely headed to the National League, at least for 2020, we’re going to run through each of the NL teams to see how they might best handle this new need/opportunity and explore any interesting potential roster effects. We’ve already done the Dodgers and D-Backs … now on to the Reds:

This is in some respects a dream scenario for the Cincinnati organization, which has a deep group of outfielders and spent the winter adding defensively questionable hitters. Perhaps the potential for a DH helped inform the team’s rather bold decision to give hefty four-year deals to both Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas.

With the aid of the temporary rule change, the club can really make use of exciting youngster Nick Senzel. The versatile infielder/outfielder could get in the lineup on a regular basis while moving around the diamond, opening the door to additional opportunity for him and additional rest for some veterans. If he’s in the lineup, Castellanos or Moustakas could appear as the DH … or slide over to first base to give Joey Votto a day in the hitter-only slot.

It certainly seems reasonable to think that Castellanos will end up occupying DH duties more than anyone else. He’s not considered much of a defender and is presently slated to line up in right field. The Reds could not only plug Senzel into that slot but can draw upon their bounty of platoon-friendly corner outfielders to maximize offensive output. Phil Ervin and Aristides Aquino are the top righty bats, with lefties Jesse Winker, Scott Schebler, and Mark Payton also candidates for the mix. (Left-handed hitter Shogo Akiyama is expected to spend most of his time in center. Senzel, it’s worth noting, can also play there.)

The Reds came into the year looking to shoehorn offensive production wherever possible. Now, they’ll not only have more chances to do so, but have far more flexibility to avoid the potential run-prevention problems that might have accompanied the strategy.

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View Comments (49)

Comments

  1. joeyvottoforpresident

    3 years ago

    Senzel is the starting center fielder. Not Akiyama. The DH gives them more flexibility so they can run out Akiyama in left Senzel in center and either Castellanos or Winker in right with the other being the DH. Senzel is a beast tho and he was about average in center after having never played it in his life. He’s got plus plus speed so he could very easily develop into an above average defender there. Plus he rakes

    Reply
    • dominikk85

      3 years ago

      I think Senzel could handle CF but he seems to be very fragile, maybe they want to save his body by giving him a lot of days at DH.

      Reply
      • Vladguerrerojr20

        3 years ago

        How is he fragile?

        Reply
    • letmeclearmythroat74

      3 years ago

      Thanks Mr Bell … already filled out your lineup card. No one knows who the starting CF is but David Bell

      Reply
    • rodge247

      3 years ago

      I couldn’t agree more!!!

      Reply
    • BigRedsFan41017

      3 years ago

      No if Senzel was the every day outfielder they wouldn’t have spent the money for Shogo!

      Reply
    • rdsfan05

      3 years ago

      There’s no way castellanos or winker is in right that’s a defensive nightmare if it’s a lefty Aquino or Ervin is there and if it’s against a righty winker is in left shogo in center and senzel in right

      Reply
    • TradeBait

      3 years ago

      I agree on Nick. Senzel will start most games in CF, but he also has the ability to slide down to 2B and 3B to spell Moose and Geno occasionally. Somewhat like Zobrist. Extremely valuable to the future of the team.

      Reply
  2. JDGoat

    3 years ago

    A lot of NL teams would be at a disadvantage if the DH was implemented so quickly but the Reds certainly stand out as one that shouldn’t be impacted at all. It might even make the Moose and Castellanos signings more valuable.

    Reply
  3. crreds

    3 years ago

    Dream scenario for the redlegs

    Reply
  4. nathanalext

    3 years ago

    As a Reds fan, I’m absolutely giddy about what the temporary DH would do for their offense. They have so many bats, and not enough spots on the field for them all.

    Reply
  5. ksoze

    3 years ago

    I like the DH for the Reds in 2020.

    1 CF Shogo L
    2 1B Votto L
    3 3B Suarez R
    4 2B Mouse L
    5 DH Castellanos R
    6 RF Aquino R
    7 LF Winker L
    8 SS Galvis S
    9 C Barnhart L

    U Senzel R

    Reply
    • ekrog

      3 years ago

      They’ll want Senzel’s bat in the lineup everyday. I’d be surprised if Aquino makes the team.

      Reply
      • joeshmoe11

        3 years ago

        Rosters will be expanded. Aquino is in for sure

        Reply
        • BigRedsFan41017

          3 years ago

          Only buy 1

    • BrandonGregory74

      3 years ago

      Winker won’t be in the outfield over Castellanos

      Reply
      • 2020ball

        3 years ago

        Yup, I have far more faith in Castellanos than I do Winker. Winker has always been destined for the DH role.

        Reply
    • jcraft21

      3 years ago

      Winker2
      Votto 7

      Reply
    • Steve Nebraska

      3 years ago

      Senzel will start over Aquino

      Reply
    • rdsfan05

      3 years ago

      Laughable that senzel isn’t in there and is called a utility player defensively better that winker offensively better that Aquino

      Reply
    • TradeBait

      3 years ago

      Senzel will start in CF.

      Reply
  6. Melchez

    3 years ago

    Castellanos… 6 years in the league… 39 games as DH. He can play the field.

    Reply
    • nathanalext

      3 years ago

      Most major leaguers can play in the field. Doesn’t make it optimal.

      Reply
    • Jeff Todd

      3 years ago

      When the alternative is Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera, and then your team is trying to trade you, sure. Also he balked when the Tigers tried to move him to first base.

      Reply
      • Melchez

        3 years ago

        I know it doesn’t line up with your cool story, but many players have been picked to DH ahead of Castellanos over the years… Sure VMart and Miggy get the brunt of the load. JD when he was there… But did you know…
        These players were picked to play DH ahead of Castellanos.
        2014 Pretty much everyone (14 players). Nick had 0 games at DH 145 games played
        2015 Tyler Collins, JD and Rajaii Davis played more at DH
        2016 McCann, Romine, Moya, Jones and Upton had more games at DH.
        2017 Hicks, Avila, Machado played more as DH
        2018 Victor Reyes
        2019 Dixon, Stewart, and Beckham were DH more than Nick.
        So, you might want to alter your sentence… not only when the alternative is VMart, Miggy and JD… it’s also when the alternative is Victor Reyes, Dixon, Beckham, Stewart, Hicks, Machado, Avila, Moya, Romine, McCann, Davis, and Tyler Collins.

        BTW, a little inside information on Castellanos not wanting to play 1B… “I told them, ‘If you offer me an extension and show me that I’m a piece of the future, I’ll play first. I’ll even throw bullpens for you. But give me that security.”

        Reply
        • Melchez

          3 years ago

          “The big knock on me is defense, right?” Castellanos said. “I was drafted as an amateur shortstop and played third base for a year in the minor leagues. Then I had to play right field in Double-A, left field in Triple-A, made my debut as a left fielder and then thrown back at third base on a team that was expected to win the World Series (in 2014). When did I find myself in a position where I could focus on being really comfortable in one spot and not always having to learn something new while still producing and performing?”

        • nathanalext

          3 years ago

          I don’t think the Reds are worried about his defense, otherwise they wouldn’t have signed him. However, when it comes to who the Reds currently have on the roster, and positions they play, it seems that Castellanos would more than likely be the DH.

        • Melchez

          3 years ago

          I have a feeling Castellanos will be playing quite a bit in the outfield. Just going by what has happened in the past.

        • Eatdust666

          3 years ago

          They signed him because they were looking to improve their offense, which he absolutely can do so.

    • DarkSide830

      3 years ago

      i think the “unplayable” card is overused, but its hard to deny he isnt a good fielder and their clear DH candidate

      Reply
  7. douger007

    3 years ago

    Why does everyone have such a hardon for Aquino? One month of crazy power when first called up then a K-machine the rest of the way. He’s destined for Louisville, folks. Face it.

    Reply
    • Steve Nebraska

      3 years ago

      He is basically Adam Duvall 2.0. 30 hr power, will hit .230, and doesn’t walk.

      Reply
      • bgfour

        3 years ago

        Aquino, 26, who just learned to hit in AAA with some special coaching help.
        Aquino steals bases as well as shows HR power. Duvall, 31, has never shown good base stealing ability.
        Aquino has the better OBP in the majors so far. I think good Reds coaching can teach him to hit that down and away breaking stuff, or lay off it if it is out of reach.
        definitely had a hole there.
        Duvall has never had the “prospect” status that Aquino acquired late in his minor league learning, being from another culture and language.

        Duvall has proven to be Mickey Tettleton light. a Quad A or ML bench player.
        Too early to make that judgement about Aquino. One superstar month, one less so, but he still got on and made good on 7 of 7 steal attempts.

        I see no comparison here between Aquino and Duvall. But he will have to learn to either lay off that low and and away breaking stuff or hit breaking stuff that is close enough. My gut feel is that he may change his extreme stance and settle into a more relaxed approach with less motion and become a solid all-around Ofer.

        Hope I’m right.

        Reply
    • pinstripes17

      3 years ago

      he’ll make the team easily with these extended rosters

      Reply
    • sportsarerigged

      3 years ago

      Yup. He bashed a bunch of dingers until they figured him out. I’m a reds fan and it would be pretty neat if he turned out great but I don’t see it right now. He doesn’t even. Start on this team. (But he’s better than Schebler)

      Reply
      • 2020ball

        3 years ago

        He’s of course worth a look, but I’m skeptical of him as well. Him as a bench bat is a good fit IMO.

        Reply
    • BigRedsFan41017

      3 years ago

      I can see the Reds trading Schebler since he’s out of options

      Reply
  8. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    i feel Castellanos DHs while Aquino moves to a starting OF role. Senzel probably is the superutility guy

    Reply
    • rdsfan05

      3 years ago

      If senzel was going to be a super utility player the reds would of pushed for a semien or lindor trade

      Reply
  9. Vladguerrerojr20

    3 years ago

    Just trade him to the Jays already. He would fit right in with that young core of position players so well.

    Reply
    • Ketch

      3 years ago

      Can’t. His dad didn’t play MLB.

      Reply
      • Vladguerrerojr20

        3 years ago

        Fine, we will have to settle for Fernando Tatis Jr. then. Lol jk I’m well aware he’s untouchable but god damnit would he ever complete that MLB Alumni infield. Vlad, Biggio, Bo and Tatis.

        Reply
        • joeshmoe11

          3 years ago

          Yeah but you gotta take Pete Rose, Jr as well

        • Vladguerrerojr20

          3 years ago

          You gotta deal, we might as well take Leiter too.

        • Javia

          3 years ago

          Sorry, Tatis Jr. stays in SD with Quantrill Jr. and Weathers Jr.

        • Eatdust666

          3 years ago

          He said that Tatis was untouchable, but he was just trying to have something, that’s all, nothing wrong with that.

        • Vladguerrerojr20

          3 years ago

          Lol I meant to put Quantrall not Leiter.

  10. VampWeekAtBern

    3 years ago

    I don’t see Castellanos as the full-time DH. Jesse Winker would occupy that role against righties. He has a weak arm and mediocre range. At least Castellanos has an arm. Plus Castellanos is getting paid big money (with opt-out clauses), so you want to milk him for all he’s worth

    Reply
  11. davidmp2

    3 years ago

    Winker is the DH.

    Reply

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