The Reds are non-tendering Nick Senzel, tweets Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The former #2 overall pick had posted a farewell message to the organization on Instagram this evening.
Cincinnati selected the Tennessee product with the second pick in the 2016 draft. The right-handed hitter posted strong minor league numbers and was a consensus top prospect preceding his 2019 debut. Senzel never found consistent success against big league pitchers, though. Over parts of five seasons, he owns a .239/.302/.369 batting line.
Senzel spent the 2022 campaign as the Reds primary center fielder. Cincinnati hoped that a move back to his natural third base position would help him find another level offensively. While Senzel started the year hitting well, particularly against left-handed pitching, he encountered a slump in June. He finished the season with a .236/.297/.399 line with 13 homers across 330 MLB plate appearances.
The Reds briefly sent Senzel back to Triple-A in the second half. He finished the year in the majors but always seemed a likely non-tender. The Reds have a number of talented younger infield options, with Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte taking a lot of reps on the left side. That didn’t leave much room for Senzel, whom MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected for a $3MM salary if tendered a contract.
A non-tender sends a player directly to free agency without being placed on waivers. The 28-year-old can now explore opportunities with other teams. Senzel’s status as a former top prospect and career .286/.334/.459 line with the platoon advantage could find him a big league deal elsewhere. The Nationals, A’s, Royals, Diamondbacks and Tigers stand out as speculative candidates for a flier on a third baseman.
Fine by me.
2016 First Rounders dropping like flies.
That draft was crazy because all those first round busts and Corbin Burnes gets taken in the 4th round
Angels, Twins, Rays ??
I don’t think I have ever seen a team screw up a guys career worse than the Reds did to Senzel. I truly think he could sue them. And win.
May I introduce you to the Colorado Rockies front office (and manager, especially)?
The Rockies? That’s a tough place to pitch. It’s not the teams fault that the air is thin. They have tried numerous things to fix it. Yeah the Rockies are run by bozos but they aren’t destroying guns careers like the Reds did to Senzel.
Twins ears should perk up! Join Farmer on the team and be a super sub. True senzel was inconsistent this year but his lack of at-bats were probably to blame. He’s still a dangerous threat whenever he’s up!
I’d love to be a player who didn’t hit and was always hurt and the fans blame it on the Reds.
He was always hurt because he was always playing a position that he shouldn’t have been playing. He was a 3b and they used him in all these other positions and that is why he was injured so much. What was he ever doing in center field?
While the argument can be made he shouldn’t have been a CF he had injury issues throughout his minor league career, most notably vertigo. I think the lengthy vertigo issue derailed his career more than positional changes. As a long time Reds fan I remember Nick Esasky was never the same after his boot either. Turner award also certainly did not help the situation. I wish Senzel well and hope he finds success.
He was not a CF, true. But he wasn’t starting over Suarez or a newly signed Moose either. Have we forgotten the disastrous Moose at second experiment as well?
Then, as now, the front office is not good with roster construction, or team building, whichever you want to call it. That’s why you have too many middle infielders and not enough pitchers or outfielders like now.
They shouldn’t have moved him around from position to position. They did it with no regard to the player at all. I understand Suarez was around that’s why you trade him. Other teams needed 3b they always do. Instead you make him change positions he gets hurt repeatedly and poof he’s being non tendered.
If you hit like utility player, that’s where you play, all over. Can’t blame it on the Reds that his bat never woke up over the course of 1366 PAs.
Agreed Joel, it happens too often throughout the league these days. Unfortunately, we may never get a chance to see his potential now.
Mookie Best played right field, 2nd base & SS this year, he seemed to do okay… just sayin’
Let’s use an analogy. A football player is drafted as a running back. The team has too many running backs so they decide to play him at wide receiver. By doing that the player gets hurt and is never the same guy again.
That’s the teams fault. And that’s what happened to Senzel.
Really bad analogy.
They do that with college quarterbacks all the time, make them something else.
Reds aren’t the reason he didn’t hit. But it’s hard to argue that forcing him to play a position he’s never played led to extra wear and tear on his body which caused him to spend extensive time on the IL over his tenure. Guy never really had a fair shake to get it going at the plate.
Just like they do in baseball with shortstops. All the time.
They become second baseman, they become third baseman, they become centerfielders, and they become right fielders. Why? Because typically shortstops are the best athletes on the diamond.
Which makes your criticism of the current Reds roster a bit off base .
yes sir!
I have always been a big fan of Senzel. He is a good old home grown Knoxville boy. But the facts are the facts…. Nick is most definitely injury prone. He has had 24 different injuries during his pro career even dealt with vertigo. Poor conditioning is one of the main reasons for injuries. Senzel was in 810 games since being called up. But he was only able to play in 377 games. Only 66% of first round picks ever make the show. You can’t blame the management for the way Senzel’s career turned out, it was a combination of health…bad luck..and the odds. Being non tendered happens all over MLB every year.
He got hurt making plays in the outfield. He wouldn’t have gotten hurt making completely different plays on the infield.
End of the day I don’t really care as the best players play no matter what. But the move to CF most definitely led to more injuries than if he had stayed at 3rd or even 2nd.
On another note my phillies scott kingery comes to mind.
He was “only” a 2nd round pick, but it seems like he was messed with as an experiment?
Mickey Moniak was first overall and had his best year here. And we are horrible at player development.
A 1st round pick? He should be doing fine.
I totally agree
I agree it was baseball malpractice. They are heading down the same path with Jonathon India. Both were arb eligible and due to earn $3 million +. The Reds non tender players once they start earning that kind of dough.
Bobby no pay, cheap cheap cheap. Anything over the 1.99 or trade them
Wrong. The Reds didn’t nontender Senzel because he might make $3MM this year. They are parting ways with him because they literally have a half a dozen guys better than him making rookie pay and he has no clear path to regular playing time.
India is in a similar situation. He’s a man without a position right now because McLain projects to be a better player at 2B, both at the plate and in the field. And India doesn’t hit enough to be a DH.
The Reds have shown that they will pay $15-20MM contracts. The lack of payroll right now is because they have a ton of first and second year players, not because they’re unwilling to pay a $3MM (are you seriously arguing that?) contract.
They didn’t screw up his career!! The scouts MASSIVELY over rated him!! He never had the talent to be taken in the first round to begin with his MLB career thus far proves it!!
Sure thing champ smh
Haha! Good one. New to the storyline our we?
Mr. Adell would like a word. Adell might’ve been the worst player in the PCL when he got promoted.
Jobba Chamberlain on line one
You’re so wrong. The mistake they made with him was not trading him. They valued him way too much. The Reds could’ve had J. T. Realmuto. All they had to do is give up Senzel and they didn’t pull the trigger
yes sir..
Senzel screwed his own career by being a whiner and a knucklehead.
Pirates def can find space for him
Plenty of opportunity as a potential 2B/3B/OF platoon guy.
Goodness, he hasn’t had even an average OPS+ season yet and a his most valuable year (per bWAR) was his first at 0.1 bWAR, which Ohtani would get in a series he didn’t pitch.
End of an era.
Been a Reds fan my whole life but really started paying attention to them in 2016 when I met my wife and we developed a fun rivalry as she is a Cardinals fan. Senzel was obviously the Reds 1st Rd pick that year and immediately became one of my favorite players. So sentimentally this bums me out. And I felt that he became a pretty good platoon player this year with his hitting vs LHP and his ability to play multiple positions, so I hoped they would bring him back. But I understand why they chose not to as well.
I think they ruined him not finding him a position at 2nd or 3rd. Suarez isn’t even on the team anymore and Moustakas was an unnecessary signing. If they simply set him up for success early I think he would have been good.
He never hit worth a crap. He was also often injured. I don’t think a lack of a defensive home was his ultimate downfall.
I do think the Reds coaches had their part to play. He was really good in the minors, a Top 5 prospect at one point, and then nothing seemed to go his way once he got called up. Injuries definitely played a role, but how the Reds handled him did as well. Probably more mentally than anything. Adjusting to MLB pitching while also dealing with injuries and position changes is a lot. Probably never got his confidence back.
Players flame out. There doesn’t always have to be someone else to blame.
Ok thanks for your insightful input Joe
You married a Cardinals fan? She must be a special lady.
Wishing you much happiness (seriously)
Loads of talent, still. And very versatile. This guy is going to get another opportunity. Hope he can make the most of it.
They couldn’t trade him for anything?
Since they didn’t…no.
Non-tender a former 1st rounder.. Bust!!
So if the Astros are shopping Jake Myers, couldn’t they just go ahead and commit to a trade, then get Nick Senzel to replace him? The offensive numbers are fairly comparable. Senzel is more versatile though I don’t know if he’s quite the defensive standout in centerfield that Jake Myers is.
The Cardinals have screwed up so many players it’s ridiculous. Mozaliak I think just flips a coin.
2016 – Mickey Moniak says “Hold my Beer”
But the Phillies should take a look at him…..Long has done some good stuff with lost hitters….
Caveat, Weston Wilson needs to make the ’24 team…..
I actually think Long was his hitting coach once before. I could mixed with another Long though.
Don Long
I wouldn’t mind the Marlins kicking the tires on him.
This should surprise no one.
Senzel was born in Atlanta. Now with roster spots clear I could see the Braves going after him as a utility player.
I could see Atlanta going after Senzel as a platoon/bench option. Honestly, he might thrive in that kind of role with little pressure and a team that is in win now mode. It is very hard to be a superstar against major competition and not every first rounder will pan out. Injuries and lack of position clarity and perhaps getting called up too soon stunted his career a little. He can still have a decent career with a change of scenery and better health.
He can be Pillar’s replacement for cheap.
The first round of the 2016 MLB Draft is perhaps the weakest of all time. The only bright spot in the First Round is Josh Lowe.
Remember when he was untouchable in trades? Now he is jobless.
Derek Law and Jose Barrero probably next.
Brewers perhaps?
Id like that for next year, for sure.
I want him on the Mets
Im sure several teams will want to give him a second chance.
He Is a fit for Tigers…can platoon at 3rd with vierling
Kevin Frandsen has a career BA 19 points higher than this guy, but a bunch of you are convinced he should find a home in the majors. Okay, I’ll wish him luck too!
As soon as he started getting vertigo/ inner ear problems i knew things were gonna go poorly for him. Nothing screws up a hitter worse than lack of balance
Ridiculous to blame his bouncing around the field for his lack of hitting. Always hated that excuse. A professional player is going to be able to hit when he stands at the plate. Who cares where he walks out to the next inning. Really liked Senzel and hope he catches on somewhere but he just couldn’t hit right hand pitching