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Nationals Plan To Use Nick Senzel As Primary Third Baseman

By Steve Adams | December 13, 2023 at 6:47pm CDT

The Nationals made their one-year deal with former No. 2 overall draft pick Nick Senzel official yesterday, and the club is envisioning a prominent role for the 28-year-old. Senzel himself tells reporters that manager Dave Martinez told him the expectation is that he’ll play third base every day in 2024 (link via Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com).

At the time he agreed to his one-year, $2MM pact with Washington, it was reasonable enough to expect that Senzel might bounce around the diamond, as he’d done throughout his time in Cincinnati. The Reds began Senzel’s development as a third baseman but began playing him at other positions before long. Eugenio Suarez was locked in as the Reds’ third baseman, and after he turned in a 34-homer, All-Star campaign in 2018, Senzel wound up serving as Cincinnati’s primary center fielder in 2019. Overall, Senzel played all three outfield spots, second base and third base in the big leagues during his time as a Red (plus some briefer looks at shortstop in the minors).

It seems the Nationals plan to give Senzel an opportunity he never fully received in Cincinnati: everyday reps at the hot corner. Part of that lack of opportunity in Cincinnati was due to the presence of other veterans (e.g. Suarez, Mike Moustakas). Part was due to a litany of injuries that derailed Senzel’s development. He missed time due to finger surgery (to repair a torn tendon), elbow surgery (to remove bone spurs), shoulder surgery (torn labrum), injuries to both knees (one of which required arthroscopic surgery) and an ankle sprain. If he can finally remain healthy and things go well, the Nats can control him through the 2025 season via arbitration.

Word of an everyday role for Senzel isn’t without impact elsewhere on Washington’s roster. The Nats have their own former top prospect whom they selected in the first round of the 2016 draft, just 24 picks after Senzel, in Carter Kieboom. The 26-year-old has appeared in parts of four big league seasons with the Nats but mustered only a .199/.297/.301 slash in 508 trips to the plate. Kieboom is now out of minor league options, so he’ll need to either make the Opening Day roster or else be traded or exposed to waivers before he can be sent down to the minors.

That puts Kieboom in an unenviable spot. Like Senzel, he’s been plagued by myriad injuries throughout his still relatively young career. Most notable is the infielder’s 2022 Tommy John surgery, but Kieboom has also missed time with a shoulder impingement and a wrist injury. That shoulder issue wiped out much of his 2023 season. Kieboom had surely hoped that a return to health would give him the opportunity to at last cement himself in the big leagues. In order to have the best chance at doing so, he’d need regular playing time that now does not appear to be in the cards. If he sticks with the Nats to open the season, he’ll face the tough task of trying to produce and earn a long-term spot through sporadic at-bats — likely being scattered between third base, designated hitter and perhaps at second base.

It’s also fair to question whether Kieboom is on the verge of running out of opportunities in D.C. altogether, though. His trade value isn’t anywhere near what it once was, but it’s still plausible that another club could take a look at him as a third base flier in a small trade or via a waiver claim. He still has four years of club control remaining.

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Washington Nationals Carter Kieboom Nick Senzel

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View Comments (50)
Post a Comment

50 Comments

  1. TheFuzzofKing

    1 year ago

    One bust for another. Go Nats!

    Rot in hell, Ted Leonsis!

    4
    Reply
    • Nats ain't what they used to be

      1 year ago

      What does Ted Leonsis have to do with Nats? They are owned by Learner family.

      7
      Reply
      • TheFuzzofKing

        1 year ago

        Ted should rot for moving the Caps and Wiz. No wrong thread to say it in.

        Stay away from the Nats, Ted!

        5
        Reply
        • Eovaldismemes

          1 year ago

          trust me ted has no control over the movement of the nats, and if he did i don;t think he would.

          Reply
        • yankeemanuno23

          1 year ago

          Ted was on the list of suitors for the Nats ownership ! He can’t field winning teams consistently in Wiz & recently w Caps. He’s in it for the $ for his related ancillary $ and brand value just like w/AOL. Big business developers at the Yard in VA

          Reply
    • Gmaytag

      1 year ago

      Senzel is just a run of the mill ball player, isn’t going to move the needle a bit. Nats will continue to be bottom feeders for NLE!!

      1
      Reply
  2. Four4fore

    1 year ago

    Maybe playing one position will be what it takes for his bat to come alive.

    8
    Reply
    • Franklin Nitty

      1 year ago

      No doubt about it, Senzel will put up good numbers away from David Bells musical chair position strategy. He would be in right one day, third base the next and center the following day. Batting anywhere from second to ninth in the order.

      3
      Reply
    • solaris602

      1 year ago

      Many in Cincy would agree with Franklin – Reds ruined him by rarely playing him at his best position 3B. Maybe the ruination runs too deep at this point, but at least we’ll all be able to see what he does as an everyday 3B.

      1
      Reply
  3. YankeesAreDodgersEast

    1 year ago

    Hey guys look, we (dodgers) let y’all have one

    Ahahahahaha

    2
    Reply
    • YankeesAreDodgersEast

      1 year ago

      On a serious note, I remember this guy was a big deal right before getting called up, one of the rare can’t miss, that missed.

      3
      Reply
      • GO1962

        1 year ago

        He didn’t miss, because he has been in the majors for several years now. It;’s just that he did not develop into an all-star or above average player.

        3
        Reply
        • YankeesAreDodgersEast

          1 year ago

          When you’re a top 5 prospect, and you are average, or even slightly below average, I call that a miss.

          But I guess that’s just semantics.

          2
          Reply
    • Franklin Nitty

      1 year ago

      Have fun watching the world series from home again.

      2
      Reply
  4. Buzzz Killington

    1 year ago

    Well they got Jeimer on the right track.

    4
    Reply
  5. Larry Brown's crank

    1 year ago

    senzel is actually an above average 3rd baseman……..(reds fan)

    6
    Reply
  6. Tom the ray fan

    1 year ago

    Turn around Jemier, low risk move anyhow.

    1
    Reply
  7. deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger

    1 year ago

    “I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad…”
    The Rangers aren’t the only team to screw up first round draft picks in recent years.

    2
    Reply
    • Four4fore

      1 year ago

      Like the name change.

      3
      Reply
  8. DCartrow

    1 year ago

    Two Knoxvillians in the starting lineup!!

    Senzel and Lane Thomas!!

    The K-Town Nats, baby!!

    4
    Reply
    • JRamHOF

      1 year ago

      Those two are going to look like Kobe and Shaq against LHP

      Reply
  9. Veejh

    1 year ago

    Not one mention of Brady House and keeping the seat warm for him….one of the top Nats prospects poised to take over the 3B gig. Remember Rizzo saying he doesn’t want to block any positions? House, Crews and Wood are all probably going to be brought up this season. Come on, MLBTR.

    1
    Reply
    • dclivejazz

      1 year ago

      House most likely won’t be brought up this season. The other two guts have a good shot.

      2
      Reply
      • dclivejazz

        1 year ago

        guys, not guts….

        Reply
  10. Rsox

    1 year ago

    Giving him a set position can only help improve his game. This could be a nice underrated pickup for the Nats

    2
    Reply
  11. This one belongs to the Reds

    1 year ago

    Will be interesting to see…if he stays healthy. That’s been a big if.

    Reply
  12. Dbird777

    1 year ago

    As a Reds fan–and the Nats not being in our division–I hope Nick balls out

    3
    Reply
  13. raulp

    1 year ago

    I really hope Senzel can manage to stay healthy and allowed to play everyday, so his hitting can improve, no questions about his defense and running skills.

    Reply
  14. Degaz

    1 year ago

    ..and he will still be a 0.0 WAR player

    Reply
  15. DonOsbourne

    1 year ago

    Brewers should take a no risk flier on Kieboom.

    Reply
  16. Jabronie23

    1 year ago

    Seems like he was horrible mismanaged by the Reds

    3
    Reply
  17. JerseyShoreScore

    1 year ago

    What are the Nats going to do for the other 130 games next season when Senzel is on the IL?

    Reply
  18. Bobcastelliniscat

    1 year ago

    I wish Nick a lot of success with the Nats. The Reds screwed up his career.

    1
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Injuries screwed up Nick’s career, not the Reds. Wish Senzel success, but think he’ll spend 30-50% of season on IL.

      2
      Reply
  19. User 2079935927

    1 year ago

    Makes Senzel. Does it not?

    2
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 year ago

      Ask Denzel, or Re-“pun”-zel.

      1
      Reply
    • The619MetroPadres

      1 year ago

      I see what you did there Winslow.

      Reply
  20. jbryant0693

    1 year ago

    Career .618 OPS against RHP, 70% of pitchers are RH. Ouch. Good luck with that Nats!

    Reply
  21. Biggie22

    1 year ago

    Rooting for him….

    Staying healthy is imperative for his improvement…. People forget he’s been so snake bitten by injuries that he’s actually had less at bats than many younger players who’ve been in the league for a much shorter period of time, especially considering he wasn’t getting minor league at bats during most of his time on the shelf with all his injuries….

    It’ll be interesting to see if he can still develop some more as an overall ball player with a consistent position & consistent at bats…

    3
    Reply
  22. bloomquist4hof

    1 year ago

    If they leave him at 3B maybe his defensive numbers wont be so bad. I wouldnt be surprised to see him not be terrible. The tools to be a regular are still there. They could end up with a nice trade piece next summer.

    1
    Reply
  23. Redsguy 3

    1 year ago

    Shouldn’t the title of this thread just be “Nats plan to stink next season?” Senzel is a lifetime bum.

    Reply
  24. SODOMOJO

    1 year ago

    “How to completely ruin a championship franchise in 5 years”

    By Mike Rizzo

    1
    Reply
    • The619MetroPadres

      1 year ago

      Ya man. People forget the Nats won the ship not long ago- 2019. Now at the bottom every year.

      Reply
  25. The619MetroPadres

    1 year ago

    Wasn’t Senzel manning center field for a while for the Reds too?

    1
    Reply
    • This one belongs to the Reds

      1 year ago

      Yes, and he wasn’t a good one.

      Reply
  26. octavian8

    1 year ago

    As a Reds fan I’m happy for Nick. Great low risk signing for the Nats. Back at third base and regular at bats I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a productive season.

    Reply
  27. Yanks2

    1 year ago

    Never heard of him

    Reply
  28. senator

    1 year ago

    I’m sure the Angels will give you a deal on Tony “No Bags” Rendon….

    Reply
  29. yankeemanuno23

    1 year ago

    Nats going nowhere until Lerners sell out or lose ownership control. Punk moves for -avg players!
    After following since RFK days, I’m only going to buy tix to games where top teams come to town (NYY, LA, Hstn). Ciao baby!

    Reply
  30. gbuff

    1 year ago

    WILL MIKE RIZZO PLEASE DO SOMETHING !!!! THIS IS TWO YEARS RUNNING WHERE THE NATIONALS HAVE DONE NOTHING IN THE OFFSEASON. i’M OKAY WITH A REBUILD BUT DO SOMETHING. IS RIZZO VACATIONING IN THE CARIBBEAN ? PERHAPS HE IS A LITTLE TOO COMFORTABLE WITH THE EXTENSION HE SIGNED

    1
    Reply

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